Latest news with #EuropeanCouncil
Libyan Express
3 hours ago
- Politics
- Libyan Express
Turkey rejects EU criticism of maritime deal with Libya
BY Libyan Express Jun 28, 2025 - 07:52 Turkey accuses EU of bias over maritime pact with Libya Turkey has dismissed European Union criticism of its 2019 maritime agreement with Libya, describing the EU's position as unhelpful to regional peace and stability. In a statement on Friday, Turkish Foreign Ministry spokesperson Öncü Keçeli responded to conclusions adopted by the European Council on 28 June 2025. The statement said the EU stance reflected the efforts of Greece and the Greek Cypriot administration to advance maritime claims that Ankara argues are incompatible with international law and the principle of equity. The maritime memorandum of understanding, signed between Turkey and Libya's then-UN-recognised Government of National Accord (GNA), defines maritime boundaries in the Eastern Mediterranean. Turkey maintains that the deal is legally valid and in line with international law. Keçeli said Ankara would not accept attempts to undermine what it considers its legitimate rights and interests in the region. He also said the EU's approach to maritime boundary issues—described as legally and technically complex—was politically biased and unlikely to contribute to stability. Tensions in the Eastern Mediterranean have risen in recent years due to competing maritime claims and energy exploration activities involving Turkey, Greece, Cyprus, and other regional actors. The European Council's final communiqué is expected to express support for Greece's position on the Turkey-Libya agreement and address concerns related to irregular migration routes from the Libyan coast to southern Europe. The views expressed in Op-Ed pieces are those of the author and do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of Libyan Express. How to submit an Op-Ed: Libyan Express accepts opinion articles on a wide range of topics. Submissions may be sent to oped@ Please include 'Op-Ed' in the subject line.
Dubai Eye
4 hours ago
- Politics
- Dubai Eye
UAE, European Council Presidents reiterate call for Gaza ceasefire
UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and the leader of the European Council António Costa have emphasised the urgent need for a ceasefire in Gaza to enable the delivery of sufficient humanitarian aid. During a call, the two sides also called for intensified international efforts to advance progress towards a just and comprehensive peace based on the two-state solution. They further underlined the importance of diplomacy and dialogue in resolving regional crises to maintain and safeguard regional and global security and stability. The call also explored various aspects of cooperation between the UAE and the European Union and its member states, and reviewed the ongoing negotiations towards a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement between the two sides.
TAG 91.1
6 hours ago
- Politics
- TAG 91.1
UAE, European Council Presidents reiterate call for Gaza ceasefire
UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and the leader of the European Council António Costa have emphasised the urgent need for a ceasefire in Gaza to enable the delivery of sufficient humanitarian aid. During a call, the two sides also called for intensified international efforts to advance progress towards a just and comprehensive peace based on the two-state solution. They further underlined the importance of diplomacy and dialogue in resolving regional crises to maintain and safeguard regional and global security and stability. The call also explored various aspects of cooperation between the UAE and the European Union and its member states, and reviewed the ongoing negotiations towards a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement between the two sides.
Sharjah 24
20 hours ago
- Business
- Sharjah 24
Mohamed bin Zayed, Pres. of European Council discuss UAE-EU ties
Explored various aspects of cooperation between the UAE and the European Union The call explored various aspects of cooperation between the UAE and the European Union and its member states, as well as ways to broaden these ties to deliver mutual benefits and progress. The two sides discussed ongoing negotiations towards a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement between the UAE and the European Union, highlighting its importance in advancing relations and supporting joint development goals. Reviewed a number of regional and international issues of mutual concern His Highness and the President of the European Council reviewed a number of regional and international issues of mutual concern, with a particular focus on developments in the Middle East. They emphasised the urgent need for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip to enable the delivery of sufficient humanitarian aid to alleviate the suffering of civilians. They also called for intensified international efforts to advance progress towards a just, lasting, and comprehensive peace based on the two-state solution. The two sides further underlined the vital importance of diplomacy and dialogue in resolving regional crises and safeguarding regional and global security and stability.
New York Post
21 hours ago
- Politics
- New York Post
EU leaders call for immediate cease-fire in Gaza
The European Council, composed of the heads of state or of government of the 27 E.U. member states, the president of the European Council and the president of the European Commission, called for an immediate cease-fire in Gaza on Thursday. The council, meeting in Brussels, called for a 'cease-fire in Gaza and the unconditional release of all hostages, leading to a permanent end to hostilities,' it said in its conclusions issued at an E.U. summit meeting in Brussels where developments in the Middle East were discussed. The council said it 'deplores the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza, the unacceptable number of civilian casualties and the levels of starvation. The European Council calls on Israel to fully lift its blockade on Gaza, to allow immediate, unimpeded access and sustained distribution of humanitarian assistance at scale into and throughout Gaza and to enable the U.N. and its agencies, and humanitarian organizations, to work independently and impartially to save lives and reduce suffering,' the conclusions read. 6 The European Council met in Brussels and called for a 'cease-fire in Gaza and the unconditional release of all hostages.' dts News Agency Germany/Shutterstock 6 European Council President Antonio Costa (L), Poland's Prime Minister Donald Tusk (C) and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen at the end of a press conference after working sessions at the European Council. AFP via Getty Images The text continued: 'Israel must fully comply with its obligations under international law, including international humanitarian law. The European Council recalls the imperative of ensuring the protection of all civilians, including humanitarian workers, at all times, as well as of civilian infrastructure, including medical facilities, schools and U.N. premises.' The European Council also deplored 'the refusal of Hamas to hand over the remaining hostages.' The E.U. leaders took note of the review report prepared by the E.U.'s External Service on Israel's compliance with Article 2 of the EU-Israel Association Agreement and invited the E.U.'s foreign ministers to continue discussions on a follow-up, as appropriate, in July, taking into account the evolution of the situation on the ground. 6 According to conclusions issued at an E.U. summit, the council said it 'deplores the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza, the unacceptable number of civilian casualties and the levels of starvation.' AFP via Getty Images 6 Palestinians searching through the rubble of heavily damaged and collapsed buildings after Israeli attacks on Al-Shati refugee camp in Gaza City. The review report concluded that there were 'indications' that Israel was in breach of its human rights obligations under Article 2 of the Association Agreement with its actions in Gaza. The Association Agreement At a meeting of the E.U. foreign ministers in Brussels on Monday, E.U. foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas announced that she would address the report results with Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar. The E.U. foreign ministers will discuss the topic again in July to see if they decide to take measures against Israel. 'Our first goal is to change the situation on the ground [in Gaza] and help the humanitarian aid get in and help the people. So today was the beginning of the debate and not the end,' Kallas told reporters after the ministerial meeting. 6 Internally displaced Palestinians gather in a charity kitchen to receive limited rations amid a food shortage in Nuseirat Palestinian refugee camp. 'If the situation does not improve, then we can also discuss further measures and come back to this at the next Foreign Affairs Council in July,' she said. The review of the EU-Israel Association Agreement was decided in May after a majority of E.U. member states supported a proposal of Dutch Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp. In a letter to Kallas, Sa'ar requested to shelve the report prepared by the E.U. on Article 2 of the Association Agreement, writing: 'In the name of fairness, the flaws in the composition of the report should be addressed and it should be completely disregarded.' The report, he continued, 'completely ignores our detailed answers to the questions submitted to us.' 6 People walk away as smoke erupts from a fire following an Israeli strike at the UNRWA's Osama bin Zaid school in the northern Gaza Strip. AFP via Getty Images During the Article 2 review process, the E.U. submitted a series of question to Israel. In its answers to the questions, the Israeli foreign ministry recalled the 'strategic reality Israel is facing: since October 7, Israel has been fighting a war on seven fronts. Iran, with its extremist ideology, is aiming to eliminate the State of Israel. Iran's regime has long pursued the annihilation of the Jewish state through a nuclear program, ballistic missiles, and a network of terrorist proxies like Hamas, Hezbollah and the Houthis. 'This plan erupted violently on October 7, when Hamas massacred 1,200 Israelis and kidnapped hundreds, marking the deadliest attack on Jews since the Holocaust,' the ministry added. 'It is against this backdrop—Israel's combat with a host of brutal enemies—that the E.U. was tasked with doing a 'rush job,' compiling a biased and extremely one-sided summary of many anti-Israeli voices and documents into a so-called 'honest report' for the member states of the E.U.''
