The European Union needs to be more active and more present in the Middle East, Foreign Minister Konstantinos Kombos said on Wednesday, upon his arrival at the informal Foreign Affairs Council meeting taking place in Wicklow, Ireland.
“We are meeting during a period of prolonged multiple crises, from Ukraine to the Middle East, and in such times it is important to hold frank and open strategic discussions. And that is, traditionally, precisely the nature of the Gymnich meetings,” Mr. Kompos said in his remarks upon arrival.
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He noted that they would discuss “Russia’s ongoing aggression against Ukraine,” adding that the EU foreign ministers will be joined by six of their counterparts from non-EU countries, “which, however, maintain close ties with the EU.”
“And the message will be one of continued support for Ukraine, a message that is absolutely clear and very important to convey, especially in light of the high-level week in New York in the coming days,” he added.
Mr. Kompos said that discussions would also focus on how the Foreign Service’s operations can be made more effective and efficient, particularly in the context of multilateral cooperation.
“During this discussion, we must remember that the EU is the largest contributor, accounting for 50% of development aid and 40% of global humanitarian aid,” he said. He noted, however, that this “does not directly and proportionally translate into an expansion of the EU’s political influence.” This is an issue that “needs to be examined,” he added.
Regarding the situation in the Middle East, Mr. Kombos noted that “this is a situation where diplomacy meets conflict and where we find ourselves in a constant state between war and peace.” “And this is extremely dangerous—whether we’re talking about Iran, the Strait of Hormuz, Gaza, or the Red Sea. On all these issues, the European Union needs to be more active and more present,” he said, noting that he looks forward to the discussions.
Source: CNA
