Informal video conference of foreign affairs ministers, 18 May 2021

Summary:

EU Ministers responsible for matters relating to foreign affairs held an informal videoconference on 18 May 2021. The agenda included the following items:

• Exchange of views on the upsurge in violence in Israel and Palestine and on elements of the EU response;
• Briefing on the unfolding events related to irregular migration in Ceuta (Spain).

Official

General Secretariat of the Council: Background Brief for Informal video conference of foreign affairs ministers, 18 May 2021 https://www.consilium.europa.eu/media/49666/background-brief-fac-vtc-18-may_en.pdf

EU EEAS: Informal videoconference of Foreign Affairs Ministers on Israel/Palestine: Press remarks by High Representative Josep Borrell (18 May 2021) https://eeas.europa.eu/headquarters/headquarters-homepage/98670/

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News

France 24, 18/05/2021: Hungary FM condemns EU's 'one-sided' statements on Israel https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20210518-hungary-fm-condemns-eu-s-one-sided-statements-on-israel

Euronews, 18/05/2021: Hungary only nation against EU call for Israel-Hamas ceasefire https://www.euronews.com/2021/05/18/eu-fms-due-to-discuss-political-solutions-to-end-israel-gaza-conflict-as-violence-surges-o

Haaretz, 18/05/2021: EU Foreign Ministers Meet to Discuss Diplomatic Solution to Fighting in Israel, Gaza https://www.haaretz.com/world-news/europe/.premium-eu-foreign-ministers-meet-to-discuss-diplomatic-solution-to-fighting-in-israel-gaza-1.9818370

Malta Today, 18/05/2021: EU demands ceasefire and stop to Israel attacks in Palestine https://www.maltatoday.com.mt/news/europe/109719/eu_to_call_for_ceasefire_in_israel_and_palestinian_conflict#.YKfJ9KhKiUk

Deutsche Welle, 18/05/2021: Israel-Gaza crisis: EU calls for cease-fire — as it happened https://p.dw.com/p/3tWgj

Cyprus Mail, 18/05/2021: Divisions curb EU peacemaking role in Israel-Gaza violence https://cyprus-mail.com/2021/05/18/divisions-curb-eu-peacemaking-role-in-israel-gaza-violence/

Swissinfo.ch, 18/05/2021: EU - minus Hungary - calls for Israeli-Palestinian ceasefire https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/reuters/eu---minus-hungary---calls-for-israeli-palestinian-ceasefire/46627628

EurActiv, 19/05/2021: Hungary blocks EU declaration on Israel-Palestine ceasefire https://www.euractiv.com/section/global-europe/news/hungary-blocks-eu-declaration-on-israel-palestine-ceasefire/

Hungary Today, 19/05/2021: Hungary Does Not Support Joint EU Statement on Israel-Palestine Conflict https://hungarytoday.hu/hungary-israel-palestine-conflict-gaza-strip-bombing-israel-rocket-attacks-hamas/

RTL Today, 19/05/2021: Hungary FM condemns EU's 'one-sided' statements on Israel https://today.rtl.lu/news/world/a/1724173.html

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