CAIRO, March 5, 2025 (WAFA) – President of the European Council António Costa said Tuesday that the European Union (EU) is fully committed to the two-state solution.
Speaking at the Emergency Arab summit on Gaza held in Cairo, Costa: “The European Union is fully committed to contributing to peace in the Middle East. Committed to the two-state solution, where Palestine and Israel can live side by side in peace and security and free from the threat of terrorism.”
He also underscored the EU’s commitment to “supporting the efforts of the Arab States and the Palestinian Authority, as we have done for so long.”
He added that “Respect for the UN Charter, the rules-based international order and international law has never been so much at stake as in current times,” while stressing that the EU “firmly rejects any attempt at demographic and territorial changes in Gaza, in other parts of the world, anywhere, consistent with the UN Charter, international law, our fundamental principles and relevant UN resolutions.”
He called on all parties to the ceasefire agreement to fully implement their commitments and commended all those engaged in the mediation efforts, in particular Egypt and Qatar.
He voiced his hopes that the talks on phase two will be successful “to ensure a path to a permanent end to hostilities, a political solution that includes Gaza and the West Bank, a path of respect for international law and humanitarian law, and for humanitarian aid to reach Palestinians, and civilians to be protected.”
Highlighting the importance of increased aid to the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA), he said: “The European Union and its member states are supporting these objectives through increased humanitarian aid, namely by continuing to support the action of UNRWA, also through the deployment of the EU mission to Rafah (EUBAM), at the Rafah crossing point.”
“Our support to the Palestinian Authority is also steadfast. The European Union supports the reform agenda of the Palestinian Authority. It will play a crucial role in the governance of Gaza,” he added.
He voiced the EU’s support to diplomatic efforts vis-à-vis Israel and Palestine and the Global Alliance for the Implementation of the Two-State Solution.
He reiterated the EU’s full commitment to Gaza's reconstruction while stressing that “any viable reconstruction plan should cover all strands, especially reconstruction, governance, and security.”
He affirmed the EU’s readiness to “provide concrete support” to implement the plan in cooperation with Arab partners and the international community.
A.D./ K.F.
