European Political Community: Press remarks by the High Representative/Vice-President Josep Borrell before the meeting

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Good morning,

The meeting with the European Political Community is a great occasion for the Europeans - in the large sense - to discuss about the challenges and threats that we are facing.

We are facing two wars, in Ukraine and in Gaza; we are facing foreign interference in our electoral processes - and everywhere. We have to defend our democracy and face these challenges.

We have to continue supporting Ukraine; I am sure that the Leaders [of EPC participating countries] will discuss how to do it in order to get to peace. But not any kind of peace, not peace that comes from the surrender of Ukraine, [but rather] peace based on international law and respecting the territorial integrity of Ukraine.

Certainly, we will also discuss the situation in the Middle East, the war in Gaza, which is going beyond any kind of humanity and war laws. We have to engage politically on a ceasefire, release of hostages, humanitarian support, and looking for a political solution that, from the European point of view, can only be based on a Two-states solution.

I fully agree with what the new Foreign Affairs Minister of the United Kingdom, my colleague and friend [David] Lammy has said during his visit to Tel Aviv: supporting the two-state solution as the only viable solution for a sustainable peace in the Middle East.

Unhappily, yesterday the Knesset has voted against that, against the Palestinian state. Well then, if they do not want the two-state solution, what do they want?

Which is their solution? If they reject this solution, they have to propose another solution. Which are their plans for the millions of Palestinians who are living inside the occupied territories?

If they reject the two-state solution that the whole international community is supporting, then which is the alternative solution?

We have to say it. I reject this solution, and I propose another one. Which is the different one?

It cannot be based only on permanent peace and security. If we want to build peace, a sustainable peace, we have to offer a political solution and a political horizon for the Palestinian people too. Rejecting any kind of terrorism and ensuring the security of defence as the United Nations resolution has been saying for many years.

I hope this will also be discussed by the Europeans at large.

Thank you.

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