EU Statement -- UN Security Council: Open Debate on the situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question

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

2. The Candidate Countries North Macedonia*, Montenegro^*, Albania^*, Ukraine, the Republic of Moldova and Bosnia and Herzegovina^*, and the EFTA country Liechtenstein, members of the European Economic Area, as well as Andorra and San Marino align themselves with this statement.

3. A few weeks ago we witnessed a rare moment of hope in the Middle East – an important step was made on the path to peace. The European Union welcomes the ongoing implementation of the first phase of the Comprehensive Plan to end the Gaza Conflict put forward by President Trump, as well as the outcome of the 13 October 2025 Sharm El-Sheikh Summit for Peace.

4. The European Union calls on all parties to engage constructively and fully implement the agreement without delay, allowing for a permanent end to hostilities. The EU welcomes the release of living hostages, and calls for the release of deceased and return of all the remaining bodies. The EU also calls for unimpeded access and sustained distribution of humanitarian aid into and throughout Gaza, including through the reopening of all crossing points.  We reiterate that Hamas can have no role in Gaza’s future and must never again be a threat to Israel.

5. The European Union will continue to contribute to peace efforts and to actively engage with partners on the next steps. It will support the rapid, safe and unhindered delivery of humanitarian aid through all routes available by land, air and sea, including the additive Cyprus Maritime Corridor, in coordination with international partners, notably the United Nations and its agencies, and in accordance with international law. The EU stresses the essential role of the UN and its agencies, including UNRWA, which provides crucial support to the civilian population, both in Gaza and the wider region. 

6. The EU stands ready to contribute to Gaza’s stabilisation, recovery, and reconstruction, including the full use of the EU’s CSDP missions EUBAM Rafah and EUPOL COPPS. The EU is ready to redeploy its mission EUBAM Rafah at the Rafah Crossing Point between Egypt and Gaza as soon as the crossing will be opened, as part of point 8 of President Trump’s Plan. EUPOL COPPS already advises and monitors the Palestinian civilian security sector, including the Palestinian Civil Police to the maximum of its capacity. This support remains essential for stability in the West Bank, and also for preparing the PA’s plans for its role in Gaza. The EU will consider if, and how, it can further support this mission in strengthening the capacity building of the civilian security sector, including the training of the Palestinian police.

7. The European Union will continue to support the Palestinian Authority, including in its ongoing reform, and in view of its return to Gaza, and also through the Palestine Donor Group. The European Union calls on Israel to release withheld clearance revenues necessary to ensure the proper functioning of the Palestinian Authority and the delivery of essential services to the population.

8. The EU strongly condemns the further escalation in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, following increased settler violence, the expansion of illegal settlements, Israel’s military operation and terrorist attacks against Israel. It calls on Israel to reverse the E1 settlement plan that further undermines the two-state solution.

9. The EU recalls the High-Level Conference for the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine and the Implementation of the Two-State Solution in New York co-led by France and Saudi Arabia. We reiterate our commitment to international law and to a comprehensive, just and lasting peace based on the two-state solution in accordance with relevant UN Security Council Resolutions where two democratic states, Israel and Palestine, live side-by-side in peace within secure and recognised borders. The Global Alliance, as a political and implementation platform, is one of the mechanisms to translate into action the broad international consensus enshrined in the New York Declaration, endorsed by 142 countries. 

10. Let me turn to Syria. 

11. The European Union continues to stand with the Syrian people and is committed to supporting efforts for a peaceful and inclusive, Syrian-led and Syrian-owned transition.  The EU continues to call on the transitional authorities to ensure an inclusive political transition that fulfils the aspirations of all Syrians, from all ethnic and religious backgrounds without discrimination. We remain committed to supporting the socio-economic recovery of Syria and the reconstruction of the country. 

12. We urge all external actors without exception to fully respect Syria’s unity, independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity, and condemn any unilateral foreign military actions, presence, and attempts to undermine Syria’s stability and prospects for a peaceful transition.  The fight against Daesh and other terrorist groups, which continue to pose a threat to Syria and the entire international community, also remains a priority. 

13. The EU welcomes the agreement reached on 10 March 2025 between the transitional authorities and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), and calls on the parties to work on a swift, comprehensive and peaceful implementation. The EU welcomes the roadmap announced by Syria, Jordan, and the United States to address the crisis in the governorate of Suwayda and encourages the swift implementation of the agreement and continued dialogue among all parties. 

14. We call on the transitional authorities to continue and further enhance cooperation and engagement with all UN bodies and agencies, and all humanitarian actors and to grant them access to all areas in Syria.

15. Finally, the European Union welcomes the efforts of the Lebanese authorities to stabilise the country, restore the monopoly of the state over the holding of weapons, and undertake critical political and financial reforms.

16. We reiterate our call on all parties to fully implement the 26 November 2024 ceasefire agreement and UN Security Council Resolution 1701. We reaffirm our strong support for Lebanon’s sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity, and highlight the essential stabilising role of UNIFIL in southern Lebanon. We are seriously concerned by the continued violations by Israeli Defence Forces of the ceasefire agreement, in particular the targeting of UNIFIL personnel, civilians and civilian infrastructure. The EU stands ready to further step up its support to Lebanon in strengthening national institutions, including the Lebanese Armed Forces and the Lebanese Security Forces.

Thank you.

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