Press Releases

Today, the Rafah Crossing Point reopened for a controlled number of passengers in both directions in and out of Gaza. This follows the deployment of the EU civilian Border Mission, EUBAM Rafah, to the Rafah Crossing Point yesterday. At the request of the parties EUBAM Rafah is there to facilitate the traffic of a controlled number of passengers, and to monitor and support the Palestinian border...
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Dear colleagues, I would like to invite you to an informal Leaders’ retreat, on the 12th of February, dedicated to strengthening the single market in a new geoeconomic context. Last year I chose to dedicate an informal brainstorming of Leaders to Defence – that meeting provided a strong boost to the construction of a Europe of Defence. In 2026, I would like us to provide the same political i...
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EU Commissioner and Geneva Academy of International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights Joint Press Release EU Commissioner backs new report warning of rampant impunity for IHL violations Brussels – As civilians continue to bear the brunt of today’s armed conflicts, the Geneva Academy of International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights will launch its second annual report, “War Watch - Internat...
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Thank you, Jonas, for having us here. It is always a pleasure to come to Norway. We are good partners. And I think in this geopolitical environment, we really need to stick together on different issues, when it comes to overall security, when it comes to economic security, when it comes to the crises that we have around the world, whether it is in Ukraine, that we discussed also today, or the Mid...
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High Representative/Vice-President (HR/VP), Kaja Kallas, will be in Norway, on 2 and 3 February. On Monday, 2 February, HR/VP Kallas meets Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre in Olso, followed by a joint exit doorstep. The HR/VP and the Prime Minister will then attend the Oslo Security Conference 2026 for a joint panel discussion. Both doorstep and panel are on EBS. Later on Monday, the HR/VP will ...
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We have been following with great concern recent developments in Northern Ethiopia that have included military confrontations and clashes. Immediate de-escalation is imperative to prevent a renewed conflict that would have serious consequences for civilians and regional stability. The November 2022 Cessation of Hostilities Agreement needs to be upheld as the framework for resolving disputes ...
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The European Union welcomes the agreement reached today between the Syrian transitional authorities and the Syrian Democratic Forces. We call on all parties to implement it in a spirit of good faith and compromise. A full cessation of hostilities is needed to enable the provision of humanitarian aid, the protection of civilians and the return of internally displaced persons. Stability of ...
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The European Union follows with concern the escalating security situation in South Sudan especially in Jonglei State and calls on all parties to return to the terms of the 2018 peace agreement. An immediate ceasefire is the only guarantee for peace and stability in South Sudan. We strongly condemn any inflammatory rhetoric calling for violence against civilians. We will work with the internatio...
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Mr Bourita, dear Nasser, it is really a pleasure to welcome you here in Brussels. The EU relationship with Morocco is important and necessary. Morocco is one of the closest neighbors, and our cooperation has been steadily advancing over the years, including recently under the Pact for the Mediterranean. Today's meeting is firstly about areas where we want to do more together, from judicia...
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Good afternoon. We just concluded a very productive meeting of Foreign Ministers. I will start with the outlook for 2026. The past weeks have made abundantly clear that the world order is shifting. Unpredictability is no longer an exception - it was the word that defined 2025 and it is also the word that will define 2026. Russia poses a major threat. China is a long-term challenge. The Middl...
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