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Deputy Minister Prawda takes part in Foreign Affairs Council (FAC)

Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Republic of Poland

24.02.2025

Held in Brussels, the meeting focused on Russia's aggression against Ukraine, as well as the situation in the Middle East, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Georgia.

A minute of silence preceded the FAC session to commemorate the third anniversary of Russia's full-scale aggression against Ukraine.

When discussing the aggression, Deputy Minister Marek Prawda underlined that the Council had adopted the 16th package of sanctions against Russia thanks to the efforts of the Polish presidency. He stressed that Ukraine must take part in the negotiations on its future and that Europe's presence at the negotiating table is indispensable as well. The negotiations should aim at ensuring just and lasting peace as well as necessary security guarantees for Ukraine. He also noted that the European Union should strive to uphold the primacy of international law and respect for human rights in all ongoing conflicts.

The deputy head of the Polish MFA also noted the need for continued political, financial, and military assistance to Ukraine's armed forces by the European Union and its member states and called for using Russian Central Bank's immobilised assets to that purpose.

In a discussion on the Middle East, Deputy Minister Prawda highlighted urgent necessity for the distribution of humanitarian aid in Gaza and supported the mandate of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), pointing to the lack of a serious alternative to its operations. He also expressed concern about volatile situation in the West Bank. Moreover, he supported gradual and reversible, if need be, suspension of the EU's sanctions against Syria.

Deputy Minister Prawda noted with concern the situation in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where widespread ethnic violence is likely to occur. He found that the European Union should act gradually and apply the measures it has at hand. He also stressed that the implementation of possible EU sanctions should be coordinated with the efforts of our African partners.

After the Foreign Affairs Council meeting, an EU-Israel Association Council session was held.