RAMALLAH, January 13, 2026 (WAFA) – Palestinian Vice President Hussein al-Sheikh met on Tuesday with a delegation from the European Union to discuss current political and economic developments in light of the escalating situation in the occupied Palestinian territory.
The EU delegation included the EU Representative to Palestine, Alexander Stutsmann; the Director of the Crisis Response Centre of the European External Action Service, Christian Berger; the Deputy EU Representative to Palestine, James Rizzo; and Media Officer Shadi Othman. Palestinian officials present at the meeting included Presidential Spokesperson Nabil Abu Rudeineh; Advisor to the Vice President, Major General Ruslan Sheikh Ibrahim; and the Head of the Vice President’s Office, Aya al-Muhaisen.
During the meeting, the Sheikh stressed the necessity of moving to the second phase of the plan announced by US President Donald Trump and UN Security Council Resolution 2803, which would contribute to consolidating the ceasefire and opening a genuine political horizon. He also emphasized the importance of immediately and unhindered delivery of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip, given the catastrophic humanitarian conditions suffered by the Palestinian people. He further noted the necessity of a political and legal link between the West Bank and the Gaza Strip as the foundation for the unity of the Palestinian state.
He also stressed the importance of the European role in supporting political and economic efforts aimed at achieving stability and ensuring the protection of the Palestinian people's rights in accordance with international law and UN resolutions. He reiterated that any interim solutions cannot be a substitute for a political process that ends the occupation and achieves a just and lasting peace.
The European Union representatives affirmed the EU's commitment to continuing its support for the Palestinian people and their institutions and strengthening its partnership with the Palestinian leadership, in order to respond to urgent humanitarian needs and support efforts to achieve stability.
K.T
