The Grand Duchy is set to ban goods from illegally occupied Palestinian territories and create a legal framework for entry bans against extremist Israeli ministers, Foreign Minister Xavier Bettel announced Tuesday in a major foreign policy address.
On Tuesday afternoon, Foreign Minister Xavier Bettel delivered a comprehensive foreign policy declaration in the Chamber of Deputies, outlining Luxembourg's stance on global instability from Ukraine to the Middle East and the future of the United Nations.
Minister Bettel began by highlighting the widespread global instability, noting conflicts not only in Ukraine and the Middle East but also in regions like Sudan, the Sahel, and the African Great Lakes.
A significant portion of the address focused on the Middle East. While affirming the importance of recognising the State of Palestine, Bettel stated that recognition alone is insufficient and must be paired with reconstruction efforts.
He announced concrete national measures, including a planned ban on imports from illegally occupied Palestinian territories. The government also intends to create a legal basis for issuing national entry bans against individuals such as Israeli ministers Itamar Ben Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich. Bettel further stressed that the European Union must be involved in implementing any peace plan.
Regarding Ukraine, the Deputy Prime Minister reiterated the government's support for a "just and right" peace. He emphasised that strengthening Ukraine militarily and financially is essential to put it in a position to conduct negotiations from a place of strength.
On the global stage, Bettel addressed the pressures facing the United Nations, citing both financial strains and political challenges, the latter partly as a result of the "America First" policy of US President Donald Trump. Bettel called for reform of the UN Security Council, specifically criticising the veto power, stating that "it cannot be that one country has the ability to block the entire world."
In a final announcement, Bettel confirmed that Grand Duke Guillaume will deliver Luxembourg's address at the next UN General Assembly.
