By Manal Abdel Fattah
The European Union Ambassador to Egypt, Christian Berger, stressed the close coordination between the European Union and Egypt regarding the situation in the Gaza Strip, referring to the joint statement issued last week at the conclusion of the Association Council meeting between Egypt and the European Union held in Brussels, which included points related to the crisis in the Gaza Strip.
This came during the ambassador’s current visit to Alexandria, in the presence of a number of ambassadors of European countries accredited to Egypt.
The European Union Ambassador referred to the meetings that were held last week in Brussels between the European Union foreign ministers and the foreign ministers of Egypt, Jordan and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and also between the European ministers and the Palestinian Foreign Minister, in addition to the European ministerial meeting with the Israeli Foreign Minister in an attempt to find a solution to the ongoing crisis in Gaza.
In light of the European Union’s keenness to engage in dialogue with partners in this regard.
He pointed out that the meetings focused on the next steps and the necessity of reaching a political solution and implementing the two-state solution.
Regarding humanitarian aid to Gaza, the European Union Ambassador to Egypt said that the Union stresses the necessity of delivering the necessary humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip, expressing his aspiration that a major mission by the United Nations coordinators for humanitarian affairs and reconstruction in Gaza will contribute to increasing the access of aid to the Strip.
Ambassador Berger reviewed the shipments of humanitarian aid and basic needs provided by the Union to the Palestinian population in the Gaza Strip, which arrive in Al-Arish in preparation for their entry into the Gaza Strip.
Regarding the next plan regarding funding UNRWA, Berger said that we support what the Secretary-General of the United Nations stated about the need to conduct investigations into the Israeli allegations regarding accusing a number of UNRWA employees of involvement in the events of October 7, noting that the Commission and European institutions confirmed continued support for UNRWA because the population The Palestinians need this support.
Regarding the situation in the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandab, Ambassador Christian Berger said that the attacks in the Red Sea affect global navigation, noting that the European Union decided last week to launch a mission to protect ships and maintain security in the Red Sea.
Regarding the situation in Gaza and the Union’s position on attempts to displace Palestinians from the Gaza Strip, the European Ambassador said that the Union’s position is clear regarding the conversations and proposals related to the issue of forced displacement of Palestinians from Gaza and it categorically rejects that.
