We have the Gymnich meeting coming up with the foreign ministers. We have a lot of topics, although it is an informal meeting, so we do not really adopt decisions.
So, first we are going to discuss Russia's war against Ukraine - what more can we do? We see that Russia does not want peace, although there are a lot of diplomatic efforts made to bring Zelenskyy and Russia to the table.
Then, in relation to that, because it always comes up, we are going to have a deep dive into frozen assets issue. There are pros and cons. There are some sensitivities regarding this, but we really have to have an argumented debate about this - what are the risks? Because we have to have an exit strategy. We cannot possibly imagine that if there is ceasefire or a peace deal, that these assets are given back to Russia if they have not paid for their reparations.
Then, we will have a discussion on the Middle East. A lot is happening there as well. Of course, the situation in Gaza - the humanitarian situation - is going to be discussed, and what more can we do as European Union. We have made some proposals. We have not, unfortunately moved on those. The situation has not much improved.
This is still very problematic, and the news coming from Gaza are not very encouraging when it comes to the new war zone, or combat zone or the ideas that come from there.
Then, of course, Iran. As you know, the snapback was started. So, now we have 30 days to really use the diplomatic efforts.
And then, last but not least, we will discuss the working methods. That is about how we can be more effective to adopt decisions at the Foreign Affairs Councils in the European foreign policy, to be more as a geopolitical power, also on the global scene.
So, I will be able to answer your questions later on for the press conference.
Q: Do you think it will be possible to reach an agreement on sanctions for Israel now that it is not living up to its promises to get more aid into Gaza?
I'm not very optimistic, because even the option that we propose, which is quite a lenient one when it comes to their participation in the Horizon programme, even there, we do not have qualified majority together. We will discuss, there are a lot of proposals made so that that those countries who have not been supportive, that they could come on board. But I'm not very optimistic, and today we are definitely not going to adopt decisions.
Q. [Inaudible] send to Israel [inaudible] divided [inaudible]?
It sends a signal that we are divided about this issue. When we are divided, we do not have a unified voice, and if you do not have a unified voice then on this topic, we do not have voice on the global scene. So, that is definitely very problematic.
Then, on the decision or the question regarding the UN and what is happening there. First, we have to get the facts straight. We will definitely discuss this today and then, of course, we are supporting the principles that United Nations is a place for all the nations who have a status. We will definitely discuss, but first we have to get the facts right.
Thank you.
Link to the video: https://audiovisual.ec.europa.eu/en/media/video/I-276277