Good morning,
We have a full day ahead. We [will] discuss foreign interference. We [will] discuss also the issues regarding different topics.
But of course, the main topic is war in Ukraine. We have now 1,600 listings that we are putting forward regarding the Russian military industrial complex, but also the sham elections in Russia regarding the occupied territories of Ukraine.
Then, of course, we welcome the energy ceasefire when it holds. We have not yet seen that also Russia will stick to it. Of course, personally, I would also welcome that the ceasefire would include people not being killed. Not only energy, but also energy is extremely important because the winter is going to be cold. It is important that it does not only apply to the refineries, where Ukraine has one and Russia has plenty. It is definitely in the benefit of the Russians. We have a Minister Sybiha here also joining us, giving firsthand knowledge from Ukraine.
Then, on the Middle East, we of course condemn the escalated attacks by the Houthis at the airport and also express our condolences for the people who have lost their lives. And there, we have the discussion: what more can we do in this? Yesterday, I also spoke to the Foreign Minister of Saudi Arabia, Prince Faisal – what more can we do? We have Operation ASPIDES. Also, their call was that we would strengthen this Operation so that it would work hand in hand with their international force to keep Bab el-Mandeb open and also the commercial ships getting out of the Red Sea.
Then, we also will get to a decision regarding the mission in Lebanon. So, we will establish a new mission in Lebanon. It has a civilian and military pillar, and if we are going to adopt this decision, we hope also that this mission will be ready to work on the ground already in a couple of months’ time. And I was just in Lebanon last week. This is highly welcomed by the local authorities.
And of course we have many other topics on the table. So, we hope that we get it all done by the time, when we have to finish it.