1. I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union and its Member States. 

   The Candidate Countries North Macedonia*, Montenegro^*, Albania^*, the Republic of Moldova, and Bosnia and Herzegovina^*, as well as Andorra, align themselves with this statement.

2. The EU is gravely concerned about the situation in Gaza. An immediate return to the ceasefire is essential, leading to the release of all hostages and a permanent end to hostilities. The EU is deeply concerned about reoccurring incidents resulting in the death of humanitarian aid workers in Gaza and calls for accountability. Unimpeded humanitarian aid access and distribution, as well as the supply of electricity to Gaza, must be resumed immediately. In exercising its right to defend itself, Israel must fully  comply with its obligations under international law, including international humanitarian law, in all circumstances. The EU reiterates the importance of  ensuring the protection of civilians, including humanitarian workers, as well as civilian infrastructure, including medical facilities, schools and UN premises. The EU also deplores the refusal of Hamas to hand over the remaining hostages. Too many Israelis and Palestinians have suffered and the death toll of civilians in Gaza is unacceptable. It is time to break the cycle of violence and ensure peace and security for all. 

3. In this vein, we reiterate our commitment to international law and to a comprehensive, just and lasting peace based on the two-state solution. The launch of “the Global alliance for the implementation of the two-State solution” was an important step to demonstrate this commitment. The EU will continue to spare no effort to help revive a political process in partnership with regional and international partners. A credible pathway to Palestinian statehood is a crucial component of that political process. The EU looks forward to the High-level International Conference for the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine and the Implementation of the Two-State Solution co-chaired by France and Saudi Arabia in June in New York.  

4. The EU reiterates its support to the normalisation of relations between Israel and number of Arab states in the region, which is beneficial to all countries involved and fundamental step for the stabilisation of the region as a whole. 

5. The Palestinian Authority is suffering from a severe economic and fiscal crisis and is counting on financial support from the international community. The EU is playing its part to try to ease the difficult situation in the occupied Palestinian territory.

6. First, through its humanitarian aid. The EU announced initial funding of EUR 120 million for Gaza in 2025, bringing the total to over EUR 450 million since 2023. Our partners on the ground worked tirelessly to fill the warehouses in Gaza during the two-month ceasefire. The EU also remains committed in its support to UNRWA, which provides crucial support to the civilian population in both Gaza and the wider region.

7. Second, at the request of all parties, the EUBAM Rafah mission redeployed to the Rafah Crossing Point on 31/01 and allowed the movement of over 4000 people out of Gaza between 01/02 and 18/03, including some who require medical treatment,. The resumed hostilities led to the closure of the Rafah Crossing Point. The mission is ready to return when conditions allow. 

8. Thirdly, the EU will continue to provide robust support to the PA linked with reforms. Following the successful first meeting of High Level Dialogue between the EU and the Palestinian Authority held on 14^th April, the EU announced 1.6 billion EUR support for the period 2025-2027. The EU calls on Israel to support the Palestinian Authority and to release withheld clearance revenues.

9. The EU welcomes the Arab Recovery and Reconstruction Plan. The EU stands ready to engage with its Arab partners, as well as with other international partners, on that basis. There can be no role for Hamas in the future of Gaza and Hamas should no longer be a threat to Israel.  

10. The EU also strongly condemns the further escalation in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, following increased settler violence, the expansion of illegal settlements and Israel’s military operation and increased terrorist attacks against Israel. The EU reiterates its strong opposition to Israel’s settlement policy and activity. The EU calls for safe access to the holy sites and for the Status Quo to be upheld. The EU will work on further restrictive measures against extremist settlers and against entities and organisations that support them, as well as against Hamas. 

Let me turn to the situation in Syria.

11. The fall of Assad’s criminal regime is a historic opportunity for all Syrians to reunite and rebuild the country. The EU supports an inclusive, Syria-owned and Syrian-led transition that meets the legitimate aspirations of the Syrian people, in line with the core principles of UN Security Council Resolution 2254, and reiterates its support for the efforts of the United Nations Special Envoy in this regard. The EU welcomes the recent appointment of a new transitional government and looks forward to engaging with it to tackle the immense challenges ahead. 

12. The EU will continue to lead international efforts in support of the Syrian people, as recently underscored by the Brussels IX Conference convened by the EU in March. In view of the serious challenges facing the transition and the catastrophic humanitarian and economic situation, the EU urges the international community to step up its assistance.

13. The European Union recalls the EU’s recent suspension of restrictive measures as part of a gradual, reversible approach. The EU will continue to examine possible further suspensions of restrictive measures on the basis of close monitoring of the situation in Syria. 

14. The EU strongly condemns the recent violence against civilians in Syria and urges the transitional authorities to ensure the protection of all Syrians from all ethnic and religious backgrounds without discrimination. All perpetrators of violence must be held accountable in accordance with international norms and standards. The EU welcomes the establishment of an investigative committee, and calls on the transitional authorities to continue their engagement with the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic to investigate all violations as well as with the Office of the High Commissioner on Human Rights.

15. The EU underlines the need to restore justice and ensure accountability for all atrocities committed – mainly by the Assad regime – after more than a decade of conflict. The EU strongly encourages the transitional government to ensure the inclusion of all Syrians and diverse civil society actors in this process and will continue to staunchly support relevant UN mechanisms, such as the International, Impartial and the Independent Mechanism and the Commission of Inquiry, who have an important role to play in the transition and reconciliation processes.

16. The EU also supports the Independent Institution on Missing Persons in Syria.

17. Syria’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity within secure borders must be fully respected, in accordance with international law. The EU calls on Israel to uphold the terms of the 1974 Disengagement of Forces Agreement. The EU reiterates its support for UNDOF and recalls the importance of UNSC resolution 497 (1981). The demilitarized buffer zone must be respected. The EU remains concerned by the destabilising role of foreign backed armed groups across the country. The EU condemns any malign attempts to undermine Syria’s stability and prospects for a peaceful and inclusive political transition.

18. The EU emphasises the importance of the fight against terrorism, and of the prevention of re-emergence of terrorist groups, which is an international security issue requiring joint commitments by international partners.

19. The fall of the Assad regime also offers the opportunity to eliminate Syria’s chemical weapons programme for good and the EU welcomes the initial steps of cooperation of the transitional authorities’ with the OPCW to this end.

20. Finally, the EU reiterates its call for the full implementation of the ceasefire agreement between Lebanon and Israel in the shortest possible timeframe and the full and symmetrical implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701. The EU recalls the fundamental stabilisation role of UNIFIL in southern Lebanon and is fully committed to continue supporting it as well as the Lebanese state’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and state-building efforts, including by contributing to the strengthening of the Lebanese Armed Forces.

* North Macedonia, Montenegro, Albania and Bosnia and Herzegovina continue to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process.