The Middle East Peace Process – or “rather the lack of a peace process between Israel and Palestine” as High Representative Federica Mogherini described it – was at the core of an informal meeting of EU Foreign Ministers (Gyminch) in Tallinn on 8 September.

Ministers reaffirmed the EU’s unity and commitment to help the parties achieve the goal of two states living side by side in peace and security.

“We do not see any alternative or any plan B to the creation of two states there. It is simply not realistic,” Mogherini said at a press conference following the meeting. “We do not see the parties possibly agreeing on a one-state solution or a zero-state solution, or a three-state solution, or a six-state solution.”

Mogherini also announced the decision to carry out “a review of the modalities for the EU engagement on the ground, … to make sure that all the financial support we give has an impact on the achievement of the political goal of the two states.”

The EU is by far the biggest donor to the Palestinian Authority, but also in humanitarian terms in Gaza. “The purpose of this review… will be exactly to make sure that all the modalities of our engagement will be as efficient and as effective as they can be to reach the goal of the two-state solution,” said Mogherini, adding: “this is not about changing or discussing to change our engagement in itself, but its modalities, to make sure that they respond to the political objective we are determined to achieve.”

The EU High Representative also welcomed the engagement the US administration on the issue. “With the proliferation of conflicts we have around the world, it is good to see commitment… by the new US administration to this particular conflict that is very close to our hearts, as Europeans.”

Mogherini added: “What we expect from the United States is to stay committed, to stay engaged, to work with the rest of the international community through the Quartet and other means, in particular in relation with our Arab friends, to help the parties find a solution.”

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Press release

EU Middle East Peace process