Informal assembly of international affairs ministers: press remarks by High Representative Kaja Kallas after the assembly

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Good afternoon,  

We had a really lengthy dialogue as we speak, a really lengthy day with the EU ministers, and I can already inform you that we didn’t cowl all of the factors, so we didn’t get to the working strategies dialogue that we desperately wanted. But we’ll do this within the coming months, positively.

So, what took the time was very substantive discussions, first on Ukraine. The European Union and all of the Member States assist the diplomatic efforts to realize peace and the tip of Russia’s struggle. But, it’s clear that Russia shouldn’t be getting ready for peace. It is the alternative. They are getting ready for extra struggle. This week, Russia launched its second largest air assault on Kyiv for the reason that struggle started.

The strikes killed many civilians and broken places of work that belonged to the European Union and the British Council. Russian airstrikes additionally hit a US manufacturing unit. So as we speak, Ministers mentioned methods to additional improve strain on Russia to essentially negotiate, to essentially come to the negotiation desk and sit down and talk about with Ukraine. Sanctions have disadvantaged Russia of tens of billions of euros to fund its struggle – and sanctions work.

Ministers mentioned the doable constructing blocks for the following sanctions package deal. Options embody secondary sanctions on these backing Russia’s struggle, in addition to import bans and tariffs on Russian merchandise. Efforts towards shadow fleet ships should even be stepped up, and I’ve requested the Member States for his or her proposals subsequent week. The purpose is to exert most strain on Russia. Of course, new actions can be stronger if matched by our companions, together with our transatlantic companions.

Today, Ministers additionally mentioned using Russian frozen belongings for Ukraine’s defence and reconstruction. It was an excellent and really substantive dialogue. We wanted this to listen to all of the arguments from all the perimeters, to essentially debate on the substance matter, and this dialogue will proceed. Ministers acknowledged the necessity to handle Ukraine’s financing hole and to carry Russia accountable for struggle damages.

To obtain this, it’s essential to discover all out there avenues whereas minimising the potential dangers. I wish to stress that monetary markets didn’t react after we froze the belongings. Financial markets are calm now, as we mentioned this, and there are dangers, however I’m assured that we’re capable of mitigate these dangers.

One factor is totally clear the place everyone agreed, and that is that, given the devastation that Russia is inflicting in Ukraine and has brought on in Ukraine thus far, it’s unthinkable that Russia will ever see this cash once more until it absolutely compensates Ukraine the damages brought on.

Second, Middle East.

First on Iran, the E3 – so France, Germany and UK – have begun the method of reimposing UN sanctions on Iran, and we had a brief dialogue on this. The 30-day deadline has began, and this doesn’t mark the tip of diplomacy. Tehran nonetheless has the possibility to completely cooperate with the International Atomic Energy Agency and resume negotiations with the US over its nuclear programme. The ball is in Tehran’s court docket. I stand able to assist any sort of diplomatic efforts in direction of discovering an answer.

On Gaza, Israel’s announcement that Gaza City is now a fight zone threatens to worsen the humanitarian state of affairs. If a army resolution was doable, the struggle would already be over. Gaza wants much less struggle, no more struggle. And on the West Bank, Israel’s resolution to advance its West Bank settlements is unlawful and undermines the two-state resolution.

So after all, we mentioned what extra can we do.

We have been very lively involved with Israelis attempting to enhance the humanitarian state of affairs on the bottom. But after all, extra must be achieved. Many EU Member States have taken measures not towards Israel, however towards the Israeli authorities. There is a vital distinction to be made. It shouldn’t be towards Israel, however the actions of Israeli authorities which might be occurring, together with sanctioning the ministers, and suspending arms exports – that is what the EU member states have achieved.

On the European Union facet, there isn’t any sugar coating to the truth the place we’re. It was clear that as we speak, a broad majority of Member States gave extra concepts. What extra can we do to essentially enhance the state of affairs; we’ll discover these concepts additional. But it’s clear that Member States disagree on methods to get the Israeli authorities to alter course.

The choices are clear and stay on the desk. We have introduced an possibility paper. But the issue is that not all EU member states are on board. But once more, we had an excellent dialogue on completely different choices, and we’ll proceed to attempt to discover methods to discover, what can we do.

And lastly, on the difficulty of denying visas to Palestinian Authority, in order that they can’t take part within the United Nations General Assembly. In the sunshine of the present agreements between the UN and its host state, all of us urge for this resolution to be reconsidered, contemplating the worldwide regulation and the way in which United Nations has been constructed up. So, that is the settlement that all of us had on this matter.

Thank you very a lot.

Link to the video: https://audiovisual.ec.europa.eu/en/media/video/I-275995 

Q&A.

Q. I wish to ask you, yesterday morning you talked about that when it comes to sanctions towards Russia, what would damage essentially the most can be extra sanctions towards oil and gasoline and in addition to secondary sanctions. After a day of discussions, do you’re feeling like we’re any nearer to reaching a few of these measures within the subsequent package deal?

Thank you. The work is ongoing. There had been a whole lot of different concepts additionally placed on the desk, for instance, financing establishments, and likewise the way in which our UK colleagues had been mentioning – the issues they’ve achieved and we are able to look into these potentialities. Crypto is one factor, though I do not know the way it’s doable in apply, however anyway, we’re actually exploring all of the choices and getting ready. So, we agreed that the ministers will suggest concrete issues additionally for subsequent week, in order that we are able to transfer with this. But I feel Lars, you may echo that we had a really, superb dialogue on actually what extra might be there, after all, in the long run, the query is the place we discover settlement with everyone. 

Q. On the Middle East, is it not the case that you’re shifting additional aside on Gaza? We now have extra international locations, together with Denmark, particularly calling for the suspension of the free commerce a part of the Association Agreement. So, in a way, it isn’t simply, as you stated this morning, High Representative, that you’re divided. Actually, the divisions are rising and the variations are rising. You are rising additional aside. On frozen belongings, the Belgian international minister was very clear this morning. He stated: “You cannot kill the goose that lays the golden eggs”. And he stated he’s additionally not open to even riskier investments when it comes to utilizing the windfall income so shouldn’t be it the case that that is actually a non-starter for now? Thank you.

Thank you. If the bulk is rising, then the division shouldn’t be getting greater, however it’s truly getting smaller, as a result of the bulk is rising. So, it relies upon the way you have a look at it, however it’s true that we nonetheless would not have an settlement on these measures. Like I stated, there isn’t any sugar coating in the way in which it’s. Today, we had a really frank dialogue on actually asking these international locations who aren’t in favour of 1 or the opposite measure. Okay, however what might be there? What might be then the measure, if all of us agree, the analysis that the state of affairs is grave, then the query for us is: What can we do about this? And there we have now a rising majority on completely different subjects, however we would not have but the required votes collectively.

On the frozen belongings. Like I stated, we had a really frank and open dialogue. So, I needed to border the dialogue in order that it isn’t the sure or no challenge, as a result of we have now to assume forward to even have an exit technique. We can not presumably think about – and, by the way in which, there’s a European Council conclusion that these belongings stay frozen till Russia has paid for its damages – so, we can not presumably think about that these belongings are giving again until they pay for the damages. We don’t see them paying for the damages. So, we have to have an exit technique in order that, how can we go about this? And like I stated, there are dangers, after all, what additionally Belgium was elevating and plenty of, many others as effectively. Let’s work on the mitigation of these dangers. How we are able to put the actually the answer collectively for the day after. Because if there comes a peace settlement, then there may be additionally this query: What occurs with these belongings? And we have to have the reply, contemplating that we’re a European Union that additionally respects the rule of regulation and every little thing, we have now to have these guidelines in place, along with the worldwide regulation that’s already saying that those that are inflicting the damages ought to pay for the damages that they’ve brought on. And the damages brought on in Ukraine are achieved by Russia, not by European international locations.  

Q. Can you level to at least one concrete step relating to Israel that the international locations truly agreed on as we speak. After as we speak’s assembly, do you anticipate a extra unified EU placing strain on Israel and taking concrete steps?

First, we had a casual Council, in order that signifies that we truly don’t undertake selections right here, however we actually have the political debates on the place is the room. So, no selections as we speak. We had been simply testing the place we are able to transfer, particularly these international locations who’ve been towards. Are they keen to maneuver on different subjects, on different measures that we are able to do? That was the state of affairs.

Q. You stated this morning that you’re not very optimistic relating to coming to a conclusion among the many international locations. And would you say that it’s time to take care of the rule of consensus inside the EU, relating to international coverage to make it possible for the EU, going ahead, could make selections and standing on marks, relating to Israel, for instance.

Yes, that’s the reason I needed to have the purpose on the agenda as we speak concerning the working strategies. Do they actually talk about how we are able to ship? Because my private feeling is that the individuals of Europe are additionally dropping belief in Europe if we aren’t capable of ship on the choices. So, that is actually time to look within the mirror and say, what extra can we do to be more practical? But sadly, the Middle East, the Ukraine dialogue, took all our time, and I actually didn’t wish to restrict the ministers this time, as a result of it was necessary that we had the frozen belongings dialogue, very open and frank. But what we agreed is that I’ll have these discussions in smaller teams of Member States relating to the working strategies, so actually how we are able to go additional, not theoretically, however actually virtually, on actually concrete objects, and inside the limits of the treaties, after all. 

Q. High Representative, you pointed to some measures that particular person Member States have taken, however in the end it’s important to exit on this planet and be the diplomatic face representing the European Union. It has been greater than a month for the reason that proposal to bar Israeli startups from accessing some EU analysis funds beneath the horizon Europe programme. In that proposal, the European Commission stated Israel is violating human rights in Gaza and breaching EU cooperation guidelines. We know that’s caught in diplomatic impasse. So how is that stalled motion impacting your diplomacy and your credibility, and do you will have a message to these massive international locations, together with the likes of Germany that aren’t in favour of EU stage cooperation?

If you ask personally how that feels, that I’m the face that’s guilty that we would not have a call, then it’s onerous. It may be very onerous. But the way in which the European Union works is that the High Representative shouldn’t be making the choices, however 27 have to return to settlement. That is why I’m working so onerous to get that settlement, to essentially handle the sensitivities that one Member State or the opposite has, to discover a compromise, to ship. That is why, once more, coming to the earlier query, I actually wish to have the dialogue additionally concerning the working strategies to be more practical, to have the ability to ship. Because it’s true that I’ve to be accountable. I’m the face that that has to then additionally remark these items. And it’s onerous. Of course, what we can not overlook is that we are literally very lively on this file. We are in fixed contact with the Israelis, actually placing the strain on them. And we have now achieved; if we take the humanitarian understanding that we have now, there are extra vans moving into Gaza with humanitarian support. There are extra border crossings opened than earlier than. There are very important reparations of important infrastructure. There is gasoline being supplied. There are issues which might be improved, however it isn’t sufficient. I completely agree with you. Also, we’re the largest suppliers of assist to the Palestinian Authority. We are those retaining the two-state resolution alive. We are those who’re the largest suppliers of humanitarian assist to Gaza individuals. But after all, that is what we see within the information. It is irritating that we can not do extra. We are discussing, and I can really feel – all of the ministers really feel – the ache that we wish to do extra to assist these individuals. 

Q. High Representative, you talked about that each one Member States assist diplomatic efforts to realize peace in Ukraine. But this morning, earlier than the assembly kicked off, Hungary’s Foreign Minister wrote on X. He described that the talks can be a pro-war tsunami for Ukraine, and that it could revolve round Ukraine’s EU accession bid and army assist. I’m curious, did he change his tune? What was the flavour within the room from the Hungarian international minister? And one other query, on frozen Russian belongings you stated that it was mentioned as we speak. What did the dialogue resemble relating to burden sharing and the authorized repercussions? Is this a viable possibility? Is that the sensation that you’re getting from the Member States, as a substantive possibility? 

Of course, we don’t touch upon what one or the opposite Member States stated within the room, however we had good, constructive discussions. Also, very open and really important at time. So, not following what one or the opposite Member States are saying of their doorstep feedback, however I can say within the room, we had very open and frank discussions.

On the frozen belongings. Yes, one of many questions was concerning the burden sharing of danger, and there, the Member States had been voicing that, after all, we’re in solidarity with Belgium. So, they aren’t left alone with the dangers – so let’s work on the mitigation of these dangers. 

Q. It is definitely two comply with ups to what you stated on the frozen belongings. When you say it is unthinkable that Russia ever sees these immobilized belongings once more if they don’t compensate for the harm achieved throughout the struggle, may you please clarify the considering behind it? Because it’s totally effectively doable that in peace negotiations, Ukraine renounces any reparations if it will get in return extra management over their territory. So, it’s clearly a chip within the negotiations. So why would you exclude beforehand that any such deal might be achieved? That’s the primary query. The second query, is that this debate actually concerning the, what you say, exit technique or the tip recreation? So, what occurs in peace negotiations with Russia? Because quite a lot of international ministers this morning explicitly stated they needed to make use of the cash to fund Ukraine subsequent 12 months, and so they pointed to the intensive financing wants and gaps. Are we not speaking about one thing that’s to occur earlier than any talks with Putin would possibly happen?

On your first query, there’s a European Council resolution that states that the belongings stay frozen till Russia has paid reparations. That is the idea; so these are frozen by the European Union. And so, after all, until this European Council resolution is modified, then that is the purpose. So, it is a resolution by all 27 Member States, and that’s the foundation for our discussions, actually.

And now to different query. Yes, it’s true that many Member States raised this challenge, that Ukraine’s funding hole is big, and we have to discover the funding now. But additionally it is clear the political actuality that Belgium and plenty of different international locations aren’t keen to debate it now on this, however everyone agrees nonetheless that Russia ought to pay for the damages, not our taxpayers. So that is why I’m stressing on the exit technique, to be politically lifelike, to work to discover a resolution there. Because there may be the idea the place everyone agrees.  

Q. On the identical matter of the working strategies. I are not looking for you to pre-empt the dialogue, however what would you wish to get out of your colleagues? And keep in mind that you simply had been a Prime Minister, so that you very effectively know what it means for a rustic to surrender its sovereign selections on very delicate points just like the international and safety coverage.

I don’t wish to pre-empt the discussions, after all, however the body needs to be the treaties. Yes, coming from a small nation that, for 50 years, didn’t have a voice, we actually cherish the equal voice that we have now across the desk – as Estonia, in my earlier capability. Now, additionally, a majority of Member States have been very constructive to attempt to discover compromises, within the spirit of compromise, “okay, I have a problem with this issue”, after which others will suggest, “okay, but maybe you know your problems can be mitigated by this solution.” And I feel that is the way in which it needs to be. If there’s a danger that you’re dropping your voice, you then’re additionally extra liable to compromise, since you need your voice to be taken into consideration. So, after all, it’s a very sophisticated challenge, however I feel it is a matter of credibility of the European Union. We are on this pivotal second the place our residents are dropping perhaps belief within the European Union as a result of we can not ship. It is a broader challenge. It is simply not a query of 1 resolution, or the opposite. It is a broader challenge, whether or not the European Union, as such, is ready to ship, whether or not we’re related additionally on the worldwide sphere.  

Link to the video: