At #FAC Development we have adopted Council Conclusions on Small Island Developing States.

This will allow us to step up our partnership through strengthened cooperation and dialogue.

Looking forward to a successful SIDS4 Conference in Antigua and Barbuda on 27-30 May.

Mali : Communiqué de presse sur le non-renouvellement du mandat d’EUTM Mali ⤵️

eeas.europa.eu/eeas/mali-comm…

Last night Russia launched another massive attack against Ukrainian civilian infrastructure, adding to the long list of its war crimes. Ukraine urgently needs adequate air defence systems. It'll be priority at the FAC Defence, together w/ putting in motion the UA Assistance Fund.

.EU in India organised a #RoadToSchuman event, where EU and India think-tanks and experts exchanged on security challenges affecting India and the Indo-Pacific. Discussions will feed into the upcoming #SchumanForum , on 28-29 May in Brussels.
More: europa.eu/!rKbyxr

GCC: The EU will host 14 young diplomats from the Gulf Cooperation Council and the GCC Member States during the first edition of the EU-GCC “Young Leaders in Regional Diplomacy” Program: europa.eu/!nKdjbT.

How well do you know the 🇪🇺 EU?

From the EU in the world and its history to what the EU has in store for the future, test your knowledge with our quiz: togetherweareeurope.eu.

#EuropeDay

I chaired the Foreign Affairs Council in the Development format today.
With EU Ministers, we discussed Ukraine, and in particular, the Ukraine Plan, and the situation in Gaza and the West Bank.
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#Gaza high on the agenda of EU Ministers of Development's meeting today.

'Sad that there is no agreement on ceasefire. Risk of many civilian casualties in Rafah. EU needs to resume full payments to UNRWA. Intimidation against CIJ_ICJ must stop', said HR/VP Josep Borrell Fontelles.

The EU Ministers of Development discussed today Plan presented by Ukraine on reform and investment strategy. 'We have to keep supporting Ukraine militarily and on the economic and resilient track through the €50 billion Facility', said HR/VP Josep Borrell Fontelles ahead of the #FAC .

“The best thing to do so that you do not have to reconstruct is just to avoid destruction. And at the moment, Ukraine is being destroyed, is being bombed.”

Press remarks by HR/VP Josep Borrell Fontelles upon arrival at the Foreign Affairs Council (Development): europa.eu/!6jTyy6

Hoy me he reunido con la Canciller Diana Mondino de Argentina, importante socio de la UE.

Hemos abordado la agenda bilateral, reformas económicas y oportunidades de inversión y comercio.

Reiteramos nuestro compromiso de concluir el acuerdo UE-Mercosur y apoyo firme a Ucrania.

Met w/ former Palestinian FM Ryad al-Maliki who alerted on the consequences of a ground offensive in #Rafah , also beyond #Gaza .

We also discussed the Palestinian Authority's reform-process and he stressed how urgent and necessary is the EU assistance package for the whole 2024.

Gaza and the Middle East need more than words to stop the cycle of violence.

The world must use its leverage to end the suffering, avert a wider war and return to talks over Palestine's future.

My op-ed on The National

thenationalnews.com/opinion/commen…

I listened to Minister of Strategic Industry Alexander Kamyshin about Ukrainian defence industry’s capacities and its immediate needs.

We discussed ways to provide faster support to Ukrainian defence industry including via the Ukraine Assistance Fund within the European Peace Facility.

The EU-Ukraine Defence Industries Forum is part of our support to Ukraine for its fight against Russia’s aggression.
Ukraine must receive the military assistance it needs. And its industry, as well as our industry, must be empowered.
eeas.europa.eu/eeas/ukraine-o…
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'Today’s Forum is a key step to bolster cooperation between Ukrainian and EU defence industries. It is crucial now but also for our future needs'.

Read the joint statement after the EU-Ukraine Defence Industries Forum that today took place in Brussels: europa.eu/!6rgwP7.

In EU-Ukraine Defence Industries Forum we propose to start immediately working on the integration of 🇺🇦 defence companies into 🇪🇺 defence industrial ecosystem:
➡️ promote joint procurements
➡️ facilitate the matchmaking between 🇺🇦 & defence companies
➡️provide financial support

Israel's evacuation orders to civilians in Rafah portend the worst: more war and famine. It is unacceptable.

Israel must renounce to a ground offensive and implement UNSCR 2728.

The EU, with the International Community, can and must act to prevent such scenario.