EU foreign ministers to meet in Brussels to discuss current issues

• Türkiye, invited to the meeting after a five-year absence, to discuss foreign policy issues such as Ukraine, Gaza and Venezuela

BRUSSELS

The foreign ministers of the European Union member states will meet Thursday in the Belgian capital Brussels to discuss current issues such as Ukraine, Gaza and Venezuela.

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has also been invited to the meeting.

The foreign ministers will be meeting for the first time after the summer break.

At the informal meeting planned in the "Gymnich" format, they will exchange views on current international issues.

The Gymnich meetings, which are decision-free and serve as a consultation platform for developing common views and strategies among member states, are typically held in the capital of the country holding the rotating EU Council Presidency every six months.

The meeting, originally scheduled to take place in the Hungarian capital Budapest, was moved to Brussels due to tensions between Hungary and the EU administration.

The tensions arose after Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban visited the Russian capital Moscow and met with President Vladimir Putin on the fifth day of Hungary's EU Presidency, which began on July 1.

EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell announced the move to Brussels in response to the visit.

The visit was sharply criticized by the EU administration for reasons including that Orban lacked the authority to represent the bloc and that the visit was inconsistent with EU foreign policy.

It is not yet known whether Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto will attend the meeting. However, it has been confirmed that Borrell has invited the relevant minister from each member state.

Ukraine

The main topics on the agenda will be the situation in Ukraine and the Middle East.

The meeting will start with a session on Ukraine, where Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba will provide a briefing.

Ministers will discuss how to support Ukraine in preparation for winter, particularly in the context of Russia's attacks on the country’s energy infrastructure, continuing efforts from the international peace conference held in Switzerland in June, increasing pressure on Russia, and facilitating the use of revenues from frozen Russian assets for Ukraine.

The discussion will also cover increasing military aid to Ukraine, including the EU's new financial instrument called the "Ukraine Assistance Fund."

Middle East

The Middle East session will broadly cover the situation in Gaza and the West Bank and seek ways to reduce conflict.

Discussions will include ongoing negotiations for a prisoner exchange between Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas and efforts for a cease-fire in Gaza, as well as the implications of the situation for Lebanon and the need to support the country.

It is expected that Borrell will bring up proposed sanctions targeting Israeli government officials related to settler violence in the West Bank, as mentioned in his previous statements.

Details on the EU's recently announced €400 million ($445 million) of financial support to the Palestinian Authority for restructuring its economy and ensuring financial sustainability will also be discussed.

Venezuela

EU foreign ministers are also expected to discuss the results of the controversial elections held in Venezuela on July 28 and the situation in the country.

Following President Nicolas Maduro's re-election with 51.2% of the vote, marking his third term, the EU called for transparency and restraint.

Borrell reiterated last week that the EU would not recognize the results unless the election records are transparently verified.

Fidan's invitation

Türkiye has been invited to the meeting after a five-year absence.

Foreign Minister Fidan is expected to attend and discuss Türkiye-EU relations, cooperation on common geopolitical issues, and the Cyprus issue with his EU counterparts.

Turkish Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Oncu Keceli described the invitation as the EU's "search for dialogue," expressing hope that it will pave the way for amending the EU Foreign Affairs Council’s decisions from July 15, 2019, which have strained relations.

Keceli also noted that the invitation signals the EU's recognition of the need to improve its relations with Türkiye amid regional and global challenges.