We have a very intensive day coming up with the Foreign Affairs Council, many topics [on the agenda].
First, of course, Ukraine. We really welcome the news that comes from the United States that they will provide weapons to Ukraine, so that they can defend themselves. Of course, we hope to reach also a political agreement on the 18th sanctions package. We are very, very close. I hope it comes today.
Then, we have the Middle East.
On the Middle East, of course, we talk about Gaza and the situation there. We have reached a common understanding with Israel to really improve the situation on the ground. But it is not about the paper, but actually about the implementation of the paper.
We see some positive signs when it comes to border crossings opening, we see some positive signs of them reconstructing the electricity lines, providing water, all also more trucks of humanitarian aid coming in. But of course, we need to see more in order to see real improvement for the people on the ground.
Then, we are going to discuss Iran as well. Of course, it is in our interest that we resume to the diplomatic track and negotiations. We are ready to do so, and we have also from the JCPOA, the snapback deadlines coming up.
And then we will discuss Georgia. We see some serious backsliding in Georgia and we will discuss what more we can do. There are all options on the table, including suspension of the visa free regime and other elements that could make the Georgian government to change the calculus.
Of course, there are a lot of other issues that are happening in the world, but in a nutshell, these are the main things.
Q&A.
Q. Has Israel done enough, do you think [inaudible]?
The situation is still very, very bad in Gaza. It is catastrophic – the humanitarian situation. As long as it has not really improved, then we have not all done enough. It is clear that we are in this situation where we do not have a ceasefire, and that is why it is so much harder to provide that aid. But we really need to work for that to help the people, because we do not know how far the ceasefire really is.
Q. The options you presented to Member States, is there one that is getting more traction among them?
The options inventory is presented, and we will have a discussion on that. But I cannot predict how the discussion will go. I think the last time we had the discussion, then the main focus was that we really needed to improve the situation of the people on the ground. That was the main goal. So, I think that is the main focus.
Q. [inaudible] when can we expect [inaudible]?
Yes, we are hoping that it is either today or tomorrow that we adopt the 18th package of sanctions. I hope it is today but there is still some work to do, and well we hope to have good cooperation with the new government of Ukraine like we have had with the previous one.
Q. On Georgia, can we expect some decision? And also, can you confirm that you will propose a list for targeted sanctions, and this list also includes judges?
Yes, we have proposed a list, and because we see these sentences also for young protesters being really, really out of proportion. So, it is clear that the judicial system is also part of the apparatus. So yes, there are two judges in the sanctions package. We will discuss that, as you know, before we have had blockage, but we will also discuss, in relation to that, our working methods, and we will continue with that later on.
Q. [inaudible]
Well, we try, but if we cannot overcome the blockage, then we do not. But what we will have today is a letter sent to Georgia also regarding the visa fee free regime, so they have certain conditions that they had to comply with. And if these conditions are not met within that deadline, then we will have to suspend the visa fee free regime.
Q. [inaudible] On Moldova, please. [What will be] the main topics for Moldova?
Moldova is in a situation where they have the elections coming up on in September. So, we will discuss about the foreign malign influence and interference in the elections and what more we can do to build the resilience of Moldova. So, it is also for the Foreign Ministers to learn what the is situation, what the main threats are, what the issues are.
Q. Any decisions [inaudible], sanctions?
Yes, there were two elements on Moldova also in the sanctions package.
Q. High Representative, about the situation in Gaza, we heard the Israeli minister yesterday. He is almost sure that nothing from the EU side will happen. Can you count on the Israeli will uphold [inaudible]
For us, the main thing is really right now – because the situation is so catastrophic – to improve the situation on the ground. We have been really focusing on that, so that we have a concrete understanding with the Israelis. And we see also positive signs of the fulfilment of that understanding. But we need to see more, that is very clear. I have presented the options paper to the Member States, and it is up to the Member States to decide what they want to do with this.
Q. How did you convince [inaudible] to vote for the sanctions?
This is the European Union. It is 27 democracies, and that means a lot of negotiation all the time, and lot of compromises as well. So, it is hard sometimes, but eventually we will come to the decisions, which is important.
Q. [inaudible] do you think that Mr. Trump’s decision will be a game-changer [inaudible] to let European Union to buy [inaudible]?
It would be good if, with all those promises that also the Biden administration has given to Ukraine, the weapon deliveries will continue, and they will get all what they have been promised. Of course, we, on our European side, want to do more. It is also a good sign that we see from United States. They have also realised that Russia does not really want peace. So, in order to have peace, we need to support Ukraine, and we need to put the pressure on Russia. And I also hope that Americans will move also with their sanctions package, or tariffs, so that pressure is on Russia to really stop this war.
Q. But would you provide EU funding to [inaudible] for Ukraine?
We are providing a lot of funding for Ukraine to buy whatever weapons and ammunition they need. We need to see what more we can do together. But I would very much like to see all our partners also actually contributing if we want this war to stop.
Q. On the oil price cap, is it alive?
Yes, it is alive.
Q. Do you think the United States will support the oil price cap?
We are working on this oil price cap. It is alive. Hopefully we will get an agreement now. Like I said to you before, even if the Americans are not on board, but the other G7 countries are on board, then we will move on with this.
Q. Should we expect decisions on Georgia?
Well, like I said, we are working on this. We have made proposals, but it is a question whether we can overcome the veto of one Member State or not, but we are trying to work on that.
Q. [inaudible]
The options are sanctions and, like I said before, it is also the suspension of the visa free regime and all the elements that we on the topic.
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