European Union foreign ministers did not agree on Monday (November 18) to suspend political dialogue with Israel, Poland said, following a proposal to do so from the bloc's foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell. Radosław Sikorski, Poland's Foreign Minister, expressed his disappointment with Hungary's position regarding the European Peace Facility (EPF). "I would like to understand why Hungary refuses to assist Ukraine, which is fighting for freedom, and instead appears to favor the aggressor in this conflict," he said.
Borrell had written to EU foreign ministers ahead of Monday's meeting in Brussels, citing "serious concerns about possible breaches of international humanitarian law in Gaza".
Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski told reporters in Brussels that he and counterparts from other EU states had not agreed to this proposal.
"We know that there are tragic events in Gaza, huge civilian casualties, but we do not forget who started the current cycle of violence," Sikorski said.
"And I can tell you that there was no agreement on the idea of suspending negotiations with Israel."
The political dialogue is enshrined in a broader agreement on relations between the EU and Israel, including extensive trade ties, that entered into force in June 2000.
A suspension would have needed approval from all 27 EU countries.
The EU has struggled to find a strong united position on the Gaza war, which was triggered by attacks by Hamas Palestinian militants on Israel on Oct. 7 last year.
The bloc has called on Hamas to release all Israeli hostages and on both sides to respect international law.
Sikorski: I don't understand why Hungary refuses to assist Ukraine
Sikorski also said he was concerned that the European Peace Facility remained blocked by Hungary. He pointed out that Poland is entitled to two billion zloty from the fund.
"I would like to understand why Hungary refuses to assist Ukraine, which is fighting for freedom, and instead appears to favor the aggressor in this conflict," he stated.
Sikorski also highlighted that this was the final EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting chaired by EU High Representative Josep Borrell. "His achievements include four visits to Ukraine, 14 sanction packages, and the use of the European Peace Facility," Sikorski noted.
"Unfortunately, I cannot report that the European Peace Facility has been unblocked because Hungary continues to veto it, despite mechanisms being introduced to ensure Hungarian funds would not directly support Ukraine," Sikorski said.
He reiterated his disappointment with Hungary’s stance and urged Polish opposition parties to persuade their political allies in Hungary - Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and the Fidesz party - to change their position. "I hope President Andrzej Duda can exert more influence on his 'friend,' as he calls him, Donald Trump, than PiS has had on Viktor Orbán so far," Sikorski added.
European Peace Facility (EPF)
The European Peace Facility is an EU mechanism functioning outside the regular EU budget. It funds initiatives that support international peace and security. Since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, most EPF funds have been earmarked for EU countries providing military aid to Kyiv. Member states supply equipment and ammunition to Ukraine and then request reimbursement from Brussels.
However, Hungary has been blocking further tranches - requiring unanimous approval - causing approximately 6.6 billion euro to remain withheld from EU states.
Źródło: TVN24 News in English, Reuters, PAP