Almost two years after the start of the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine, Foreign Minister Schallenberg participated in the Foreign Affairs Council (FAB) on 19 February 2024 and underlined the continued unity of the EU-27. In the presence of Alexey Navalny's widow, EU foreign ministers also discussed possible reactions to the death of the Russian opposition politician. Israel's announced military offensive in southern Gaza, as well as other global trouble spots, including EU involvement in the Sahel region and Iran's nuclear development, were also discussed.
In relation to Navalny's tragic death, I am strongly in favor of considering concrete sanctions against the people who were responsible for his life and limb and for his safety in prison,
Foreign Minister Schallenberg called for a decisive reaction from the European Union, as it did after the poison attack four years ago, to honor Navalny's voice for freedom in Russia.
The Austrian Foreign Minister recalled that the EU has demonstrated unity in relation to the Russian war of aggression over the past two years and has already adopted twelve comprehensive sanctions packages against Russia. He emphasized the need to take decisive action in the Navalny case, under the EU sanctions regime against serious human rights violations.
The conflict in the Middle East was also on the agenda of the meeting of foreign ministers in Brussels.
Regarding the situation in Rafah and the announced military action, our line is very clear. International humanitarian law applies everywhere, at all times and to everyone. The Israeli government is obliged to present a credible plan to protect the civilian population in southern Gaza.
said Foreign Minister Schallenberg.
Israel's right to take the oath is indisputable, but a clear distinction must be made between the Palestinian civilian population and the terrorist organization Hamas. Foreign Minister Schallenberg also spoke out clearly against the violent acts of settlers in the West Bank and provocations around sacred sites. Here too the EU must not close its eyes and must take a clear position.
In light of Houthi attacks on civilian shipping in the Red Sea, the foreign ministers' meeting also discussed the planned EU naval mission in the region and discussed the EU's future involvement in the Sahel region.
We currently have an incredible concentration on individual trouble spots: we have Ukraine, we have the Middle East, we have the Sahel. But we must not forget other very worrying developments,
said Foreign Minister Schallenberg, referring to the Iranian nuclear program, which was previously discussed in the Council with the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Rafael Grossi.