Brussels: EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas announced that a majority of member states are in favor of restricting trade with illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank. Kallas indicated that ambassadors have been tasked with furthering this issue, and an extraordinary meeting is anticipated.
According to Anadolu Agency, Kallas made these remarks during a press conference following a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Brussels. She highlighted that the European Commission had been asked by the European Council to propose options for restricting trade with Israeli settlements.
Kallas emphasized that the focus of these measures is on illegal settlements and not Israel itself. "These are options against the illegal settlements that undermined the two-state solution," she stated.
The European Commission's proposals include potential measures such as a full or partial ban on imports of products from settlements, stricter export licensing requirements, and possibly imposing tariffs. Kallas noted that all 27 EU members agree on the illegality of Israeli settlements under international law, and the current differentiation policy, which labels settlement products separately, has been inconsistently implemented and ineffective.
Furthermore, Kallas mentioned a legal opinion suggesting that these measures could be enacted through qualified majority voting.
Turning to developments in the Gulf, Kallas reported that EU ministers agreed on the necessity of maintaining freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, stressing that Iran must not possess a nuclear weapon.
Regarding Ukraine, Kallas warned of potential Russian attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure in the upcoming winter. She expressed approval of the US decision to permit Ukraine to produce Patriot missiles under license, recognizing it as a "positive step," though she acknowledged that production would take time to commence.
On sanctions against Russia, Kallas stated that while there is no consensus yet on the EU's 21st sanctions package, member states are "quite close" to reaching an agreement.