LUXEMBOURG (AP) — European Union foreign ministers convened in Luxembourg this week to tackle several pressing international challenges, including the continuing conflict in Ukraine, Russian hybrid warfare, and economic instability caused by warfare in Iran that has sent global energy prices soaring.
However, the most contentious issue dividing the 27-member European Union centers on how to handle relations with Israel and whether to increase pressure on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu amid deteriorating security conditions in Gaza, the occupied West Bank, and Lebanon.
Three EU nations — Spain, Slovenia, and Ireland — have called for completely suspending the Association Agreement signed with Israel in 2000, which governs trade relations and cooperation. This proposal lacks the unanimous backing required from all member states.
Spanish Foreign Minister José Albares suggested that a limited suspension focusing solely on trade elements might garner sufficient political backing among EU countries.
“The European Union has to say today very clearly to Israel that a change is needed,” he said.
European officials have determined that Israel may have breached the agreement through its military operations in Gaza.
Irish Foreign Minister Helen McEntee pointed to Israeli settlement expansion in the West Bank, Israel’s recent implementation of capital punishment for certain Palestinians, and continued combat in Lebanon as reasons why EU members should intensify pressure on Israel.
“We need to act. We need to make sure that our fundamental values are protected. And we need to make sure that any agreement that we have with any other country that country is fulfilling and upholding their obligations,” McEntee said.
Swedish Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard announced that France and Sweden have introduced a proposal to restrict trade with Israeli settlements located in the West Bank.
Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam addressed the Luxembourg gathering, discussing the delicate ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel, the disarmament of Hezbollah militants, and Lebanon’s need for European support during this difficult period.
“Lebanon today needs its European partners more than ever,” Salam posted on X on Tuesday.
The Luxembourg session followed a Palestinian peace conference held in Brussels the previous day, where 60 countries sent delegates to meet with Palestinian Prime Minister Mohamed Mustafa and Bulgarian diplomat Nikolay Mladenov, who leads the Board of Peace established by U.S. President Donald Trump.
A significant shift in EU dynamics may be emerging as one of the bloc’s most vocal opponents prepares to leave office.
Hungary’s departing Prime Minister Viktor Orbán consistently blocked EU initiatives on various matters, from supporting Ukraine against Russian aggression to imposing sanctions on Israelis linked to violent extremism.
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas indicated that Orbán’s electoral defeat by pro-European opposition candidate Péter Magyar could speed up decision-making processes.
“A lot of issues … have been blocked” by Hungary, she said. “We are reopening the discussions and hope that we get a positive result.”
Regarding Iran, European diplomats advocated for diplomatic solutions as a ceasefire between Tehran and Washington was scheduled to end Tuesday.
Kallas urged extending the ceasefire “until there is a diplomatic solution.”
“The ceasefire is very fragile, but diplomacy should have a chance,” she said.
Germany’s foreign minister encouraged Iran to dispatch negotiators to Islamabad for discussions with U.S. Vice President JD Vance.
“Iran should now take this outstretched hand in the interest of its own people,” Johann Wadephul said.
The Iranian conflict has severely disrupted global oil and gas markets, creating particular concerns for the EU as a major energy consumer.
While foreign ministers met in Luxembourg, EU transportation officials held virtual discussions on protecting consumers from rising fuel costs after the International Energy Agency chief warned that Europe has “maybe six weeks” of jet fuel reserves remaining.
Since hostilities began between Israel, the United States, and Iran, the violence has claimed at least 3,375 lives in Iran and over 2,290 in Lebanon. The conflict has also resulted in 23 deaths in Israel and more than a dozen fatalities in Gulf Arab nations. Military casualties include 15 Israeli soldiers in Lebanon and 13 U.S. service members across the region.
