EU leaders to grapple with foreign policy crisis
Lisa O’Carroll
Heads of state and government from the European Union’s 27 member states will attempt a show of unity today at a summit in Brussels after they appeared to settle on wording on a final communique on the Middle East, ending three days of bickering.
The final draft includes just one page of declarations on the war and the humanitarian crisis which is worsening by the hour.
Bar any final hiccups (any member state can veto the text), leaders will call for “humanitarian corridors and pauses” of the shelling in Gaza to allow food, water and medical supplies to reach Palestinians.
Earlier versions included the phrase “humanitarian pause” was rejected by three countries, it is understood, believed to be German, Czech Republic and Austria, on the grounds that it suggested a permanent cessation to hostilities and would compromise Israel’s right to defend itself from Hamas.
Here’s the schedule for today:
2pm Leaders’ arrival doorsteps
3pm Summit opens
7:30pm Dinner
Press conference TBC
On the agenda:
1. Changes to the bloc’s seven-year budget, known as the Multiannual Financial Framework. A brief discussion is expected on whether the long term support for Ukraine should be in the overall EU budget or separately. No decision is expected, however, until the December summit.
2. Ukrainian president Vlodymyr Zelenskiy will address the leaders, with a discussion to follow on defence and civic needs as war enters second winter
3. The situation in the Middle East will be discussed over dinner.
And tomorrow, leaders will focus on the economy and competitiveness, as well as migration.
Key events
Ahead of the leaders’ summit, a group of Irish members of the European parliament from different political families called for a ceasefire in Gaza.
The group urged “the Council of the European Union to call for an immediate ceasefire, as well as urgent efforts to meet the humanitarian needs of people in Gaza.”
In a statement signed by Clare Daly, Mick Wallace, Chris MacManus, Ciaran Cuffe, Grace O’Sullivan, Billy Kelleher, Colm Markey and Luke Ming Flanagan, they said:
We stress the universal applicability of international humanitarian law, its binding nature on all parties in all conflicts and remind the Council that indiscriminate warfare resulting in the killing of civilians cannot be justified – in any circumstances. Given the intensity of hostilities, and the enormous loss of life that has already occurred, we consider that calling for anything less than an immediate ceasefire would depart from the European Union’s responsibility to uphold international law, to protect human life, and to secure peace.
EU needs money to address challenges, Commission chief says
European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen told reporters when arriving at the EU leaders’ summit today that the gathering is taking place at a time of “great upheaval.”
We see that the Russian war in Ukraine is raging. We see that the horrible terroristic attacks by Hamas on Israel are now also harming the Palestinian people and risk to destabilise the region. Migrants are pushed to search for a better life by war and conflict and come to our shores in greater numbers. With all these challenges, the European Union needs to react and act united and resolute.
The European Commission is acting, the Commission chief said, pointing to aid to Kyiv, humanitarian aid to civilians in Gaza, and work to manage migration. But, she said, “all this needs funding.”
This is the reason why I’ve proposed a revision of the EU budget to be able to fund these very important tasks. This will be discussed in this European Council.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen speaks to the press as she attends the European Union leaders summit, in Brussels, Belgium October 26, 2023. Photograph: Yves Herman/Reuters
China promised cooperation on pipeline damage probe, Finnish leader says
Arriving at the European Council summit, Finnish prime minister Petteri Orpo addressed an ongoing investigation into damage to a pipeline between Finland and Estonia.
“We are cooperating with China to find the role of the Chinese ship which was on this area at the same time the damage happened. They have promised to do good cooperation with us,” he said, adding that he is proud of how quickly the Finnish authorities have investigated the matter.
Speaking of Ukraine, the prime minister underscored that strong support must continue.
On the issue of Israel and Gaza, the Finnish leader said “I really hope that it is not difficult today” and that Israel has the “right to self-defence, but there must be also … they must take care of human rights, and we have to make sure that humanitarian aid can go to the Gaza area.”
Orbán defends Putin meeting ahead of EU summit
Asked about his recent controversial meeting in Beijing with Vladimir Putin, Hungarian prime minister Viktor Orbán defended his decision to meet with the Russian leader.
Russia and Hungary has a common neighbour, called Ukraine. And we have a peace strategy, so we would like to keep open all the communication channel.
On the issue of the EU response to the war between Israel and Hamas, Orbán said:
I think it’s a very divisive issue here, I mean how to react on the terrorist attack of Hamas on Israel. So decisions are diverging – I mean opinions are diverging from each other. So it will be a deep and serious discussion, I think. So we are very much and clearly in favour of the right of Israel to defend itself and do the necessary measures.
The Hungarian leader also stressed that stability in Egypt and Israel is important for Europe.
Whoever supports migration, supports terror, Orbán says
Arriving at the European Council summit, Hungarian prime minister Viktor Orbán said that he rejects current EU budget plans.
The prime minister claimed that the European Commission wants to take more money from member states to spend on migration policy and Ukraine.
“We don’t want to give money to migrants,” he said, while also criticising the current form of proposals for aid to Ukraine.
Orbán also said that he “really” hopes leaders will see a connection between terror attacks and migration.
“Whoever supports migration, also supports terrorism,” he said.
Hungary ‘a problem we have to address’, Estonian leader says
Lisa O’Carroll
Hungary’s populist leader Viktor Orbán has been testing the patience of EU leaders for a long time, holding up Sweden’s accession to NATO, blocking support for Ukraine and protesting against new laws on migration.
But his decision to meet and shake hands with Vladimir Putin may be the straw that broke the camel’s back.
Ahead of the summit Estonian prime minister Kaja Kallas told reporters in Brussels:
“It’s becoming a problem we have to address. We have had different opinions before we have managed to keep unity but it’s getting more difficult regarding Hungary,” she said.
“We are the European Union, we have rules that’s how we make decisions. We don’t really have a strong tool to address [what Hungary does].”
She said she was surprised Hungary continued to take contrary views to the majority of member states and also to remain outside the eurozone despite high inflation.
“Hungary needs the EU,” she said.
She added, however, that she did not think Hungary would block Sweden’s membership of NATO for long.
“I think when Turkey goes [with us] we will probably find the way with Hungary as well,” she said.
As leaders begin gathering at the Council in Brussels, an unusual event will take place outside the summit.
For the first time, an Iranian-Jewish solidarity rally will be held.
Speakers are set to include Yasmine Pahlavi, wife of Reza Pahlavi. Also expected to attend: Iranian pro-democracy supporters and Jewish community leaders. Their goal is to share a message of unity, against terrorism and for democracy.
Council chief ‘confident’ EU leaders will be united on Middle East
Arriving at today’s summit, European Council Charles Michel said the gathering is taking place in “difficult times.”
It is “important to demonstrate again that the European Union is united – united to defend our principles, to defend our values,” he said.
That’s why we support Israel, and its right to defend itself, in line with the international law and the humanitarian international law. We condemn Hamas and this violent terrorist attack, and we will discuss how we make sure that there is humanitarian access. We think that civilians must be protected, always and everywhere.
“I am confident that again, we will affirm, express a very strong united position,” he said.
The Council chief also underscored that it’s “key for us to [make] very clear that we support Ukraine for as long as it takes” and that the leaders will discuss how to provide more support.
The heads of state and government, Michel noted, will discuss the issue of Russia’s frozen assets and how to mobilise funds for rebuilding Ukraine.
On the issue of the bloc’s long-term budget, Michel said he is “confident” the meeting will help make progress on the talks, with hope for an agreement by the end of the year.
EU leaders to grapple with foreign policy crisis
Lisa O’Carroll
Heads of state and government from the European Union’s 27 member states will attempt a show of unity today at a summit in Brussels after they appeared to settle on wording on a final communique on the Middle East, ending three days of bickering.
The final draft includes just one page of declarations on the war and the humanitarian crisis which is worsening by the hour.
Bar any final hiccups (any member state can veto the text), leaders will call for “humanitarian corridors and pauses” of the shelling in Gaza to allow food, water and medical supplies to reach Palestinians.
Earlier versions included the phrase “humanitarian pause” was rejected by three countries, it is understood, believed to be German, Czech Republic and Austria, on the grounds that it suggested a permanent cessation to hostilities and would compromise Israel’s right to defend itself from Hamas.
Here’s the schedule for today:
2pm Leaders’ arrival doorsteps
3pm Summit opens
7:30pm Dinner
Press conference TBC
On the agenda:
1. Changes to the bloc’s seven-year budget, known as the Multiannual Financial Framework. A brief discussion is expected on whether the long term support for Ukraine should be in the overall EU budget or separately. No decision is expected, however, until the December summit.
2. Ukrainian president Vlodymyr Zelenskiy will address the leaders, with a discussion to follow on defence and civic needs as war enters second winter
3. The situation in the Middle East will be discussed over dinner.
And tomorrow, leaders will focus on the economy and competitiveness, as well as migration.
Welcome to the summit blog
Good afternoon and welcome back to the Europe blog, which today comes to you from the European Council summit in Brussels.
Leaders from the bloc’s 27 countries will soon be arriving for a two-day gathering, with lots of debate expected on everything from the Middle East to the EU’s budget.
Stay tuned and send tips and comments to [email protected].
