EU Council President Costa: Israel violates international law in Gaza, EU must act

E.U. Council President Antonio Costa stated that Israel has violated international law and the E.U. Partnership Agreement terms in Gaza. He emphasized the need for decisive measures at the upcoming E.U. Foreign Ministers meeting in July.

Speaking at a joint press conference with E.U. Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in Brussels after the E.U. Summit, Costa called Israel a friend but stressed the importance of honest dialogue.

Charitable organizations distribute hot meals to Palestinians in Nuseirat refugee camp, who are struggling with hunger due to Israels attacks on Gaza and closed borders in Deir al-Balah, Gaza, on June 02, 2025. (AA Photo)

Costa condemned the unacceptable humanitarian situation in Gaza, highlighting that Israel systematically breaches human rights there, violating Article 2 of the Partnership Agreement with the E.U.

He assigned E.U. High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas the task of proposing decisions based on these findings at the July 15 E.U. Foreign Ministers meeting.

Costa also affirmed ongoing dialogue with Israel, urging compliance with a ceasefire, allowing humanitarian aid, respecting human rights, and halting illegal settlement activities in occupied Palestinian territories.

• Defense and Security:
  Von der Leyen announced that 10 E.U. countries plan to invest in defense through a new financial tool called SAFE and expect more to join. She stressed the importance of how defense funds are spent, aiming to build an E.U.-wide defense equipment market. A roadmap for this will be prepared by the October E.U. Summit.
• Foreign Affairs:
  The summit statement addressed concerns over Libya, noting E.U. support for national reconciliation, institutional unity, and inclusive dialogue in the country. The statement also declared that the Türkiye-Libya maritime delimitation agreement has no legal effect on third states.
• Black Sea:
  The statement reaffirmed the importance of security and stability in the Black Sea region, welcoming the E.U. Commission’s strategic approach and urging swift action by the Council, Commission, and High Representative.
• Western Balkans:
  The E.U. reaffirmed that the future of the Western Balkans lies within E.U. membership.
• Migration:
  The statement highlighted the need to combat irregular migration by increasing and accelerating returns and working on concepts of safe third and safe origin countries.

June 27, 2025 01:08 PM GMT+03:00