A Window on the World by HR/VP Josep Borrell
https://www.eeas.europa.eu/eeas/window-world-blog-hrvp-josep-borrell_en
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In European foreign policy, we are permanently confronted with conflicts in our neighbourhood, growing competition between rival powers, challenges to the multilateral system and our values, disputes over the terms of trade and who sets the rules on technologies, and the global effects of climate change – to name just a few issues we deal with every day.
The post of EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy / Vice-President of the Commission (HR/VP) offers a wide-open window on the world. As any observer, I am influenced by my own perspective. I do not agree with the relativism of 19th-century Spanish philosopher de Campoamor claiming in a famous poem that nothing is true or false and that everything depends on “the colour of your glasses”. Some things are definitely true and others false, but we have to deal with different positions on almost all subjects. We live in a permanent ‘battle of narratives’ about the issues that determine our future. We have to understand these different positions if we want to look for a common ground. In particular common ground among Europeans, which is the duty of the HR/VP.
With this blog, I intend to take a step back and contribute to building a European common strategic culture. The responsibilities of the HR/VP do not always allow me to speak out as clearly as I would like. But I will try to present here my personal views, looking through the glasses of a convinced European, on the main issues at stake for Europe and its global role. Thank you for giving these thoughts your time and attention. I hope this blog can help create better understanding of the issues on which we are engaged.
In addition to my blog posts, you will also find here a repository of interviews, speeches, opinion pieces and videos.
G20 ministerial meeting in Rio: reaching out to the “Global South”
HR/VP Blog - Last week I went to Rio in Brazil to attend the G20 Foreign Ministers meeting. The G20 framework is a critical one because it reunites the G7 countries, Russia, China and the main countries of the so-called “Global South”. We discussed the conflict in the Middle East and the war of aggression against Ukraine, as well as the urgent need for reforming the multilateral system.
Munich Security Conference: the four tasks on the EU’s geopolitical agenda
HR/VP Blog – Last week, at the Munich Security Conference (MSC), I presented the four main tasks on EU’s geopolitical agenda: supporting Ukraine more and quicker; putting an end to the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza and implementing the two-state solution; improving our relations with the “Global South” and strengthening our defence and security. I also had a large number of bilateral meetings with our partners from all over the world.
Ukraine: our support in the coming months will be decisive
HR/VP Blog – Last week, I travelled to Poland and Ukraine, where I addressed the Verkhovna Rada and met President Zelenskyy, and others from the country’s political leadership. Despite growing Russian pressure, the Ukrainians remain determined to fight for their independence and freedom, but they need more military support, and they need it now. The quality and quantity of this support by the EU and its member states in coming months will be decisive. For Ukraine, but also for our own security.
Defunding UNRWA would be both disproportionate and dangerous
HR/VP Blog - In recent days, the allegations against employees of UNRWA were a recurrent topic of discussions. The agency has taken immediate steps and launched an investigation. While some important donors suspended funding, there is a wide recognition that UNRWA is central to providing vital aid to more than 1,1 million people in Gaza suffering from catastrophic hunger and the outbreak of diseases. Defunding the agency would put hundreds of thousands of lives at risk.
To secure peace, the EU needs to be ready to defend itself
HR/VP Blog – The last European Council agreed on a new € 50 billion civilian support package for Ukraine. The day before, during our informal meeting of EU Defence Ministers, we took stock of our overall military support to Ukraine. Regarding in particular ammunition, we are lagging behind our target, but we are accelerating our effort. By the end of the year, we will have delivered more than 1 million artillery rounds to Ukraine and trained 60 000 Ukrainian soldiers.
Deepening EU-Latin America cooperation against organised crime and violence
HR/VP Blog – Last week, I discussed with members of the European Parliament and think tanks how to best help the digital, green and social transitions in Latin America. I also spoke with Ecuador's President, Daniel Noboa, about EU support in tackling the security crisis in his country. Latin America and Europe must cooperate more closely on fighting organised crime as well as on advancing social inclusion and equality.
A particularly important Foreign Affairs Council
HR/VP Blog – Last Monday, our Foreign Affairs Council has been a particularly important one because we invited the FM of Israel and Palestine and of Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan as well as the Secretary General of the Arab League to discuss how to alleviate the dramatic humanitarian situation in Gaza, free the hostages and implement the two States solution. We also discussed the situation in Ukraine with FM Dmytro Kuleba. We need to support Ukraine more and faster with financial resources as well as with military equipment.
The urgency to put an end to the fighting in Gaza
HR/VP Blog - In the first days of 2024, I travelled to Lebanon and Saudi Arabia to discuss with our regional partners ways to put an end to the fighting in Gaza and prevent the conflict from spreading in the region. The time has come for the EU to unite and become more proactive in helping solve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and bring peace to the region.
Gulf of Guinea: a new security and defence partnership in Africa
HR/VP Blog - During our last Foreign Affairs Council, we decided to launch a new initiative to support four coastal states of the Gulf of Guinea in countering threats stemming from the Sahel. Despite the war of aggression against Ukraine and recent challenges with some Sahel countries after military coups, we continue to develop our security and defence cooperation with many countries in Africa willing to work with us as a reliable partner.
EU-China Summit - Of Rivalry and Partnership
HR/VP Blog - Last week, I participated in the EU-China summit in Beijing. With President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang we delved into the challenges and opportunities of our multi-faceted relations. We discussed foreign policy and human rights issues, trade and investment, areas where we are facing growing imbalances, and the fight against climate change, where China is an indispensable partner.
The geopolitics of climate change
HR/VP Blog - The whole world is gathering in Dubai for COP 28 to seek a global agreement on how to limit the rise in temperatures at a time when climate change is accelerating dangerously. Achieving a fair distribution of efforts between countries is particularly complex because climate change, and its antidote, the green transition, are making losers and winners and shaking up the global balance of power. Nevertheless, we must succeed.
Several outlets - Desde la crisis de 2008, Europa ha entrado en un largo periodo de desarme silencioso y nuestra industria de defensa se ha quedado pequeña.
Several Outlets - By Dmytro Kuleba, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, and Josep Borrell, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission.
Several Outlets - By Josep Borrell Fontelles, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission
The war against Ukraine and European security
Several Outlets - 2024 started with an unprecedented number of Russian drones and ballistic missiles raining down on Ukraine. In this op-ed, HR/VP Borrell argues that Ukraine prevailing against the Russian aggression is the best security guarantee for Europe and that a paradigm shift is needed from supporting Ukraine for 'as long as it takes' to committing to 'what it takes' for Ukraine to achieve victory.
A Gaza, une solution purement militaire ne suffira pas si elle ne débouche pas sur un projet politique
Le Monde - Un peu plus de trois mois après la tragédie du 7 octobre , je suis rentré du Moyen-Orient préoccupé par la gravité de la situation, mais plus déterminé que jamais à faire entendre la voix de l’équilibre, de la raison et du réalisme. Car si les problèmes sont complexes, la guerre n’est inévitable que pour ceux qui ont un intérêt politique à la perpétuer.
Europe between two wars
Le Grand Continent - Two deadly wars are unfolding on our borders and dominating the European agenda: the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine and the war that has recently flared up again in the Middle East. I will focus here on the consequences of these wars for Europe and, as such, will not address other major issues for our foreign policy, such as our relations with China, the impact of climate change or the tensions in the Sahel.
Europe Knows that Climate Action Is Vital to Global Security
Project Syndicate / Several Outlets - “Present trends are racing our planet down a dead-end three-degree temperature rise,” United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres recently warned . He is right. Unless we act decisively – beginning at the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) underway in Dubai – the threat that climate change poses to humanity will become nothing short of existential.
Why a Palestinian state is the best security guarantee for Israel
Financial Times - Ahead of the meeting of the Union for the Mediterranean in Barcelona, HR/VP Borrell Fontelles underlines in this OpEd in the Financial Times the need to move forward without delay towards a two state solution as the only long term security guarantee for Israel.
“Hamas, además de una organización terrorista a nuestros ojos, es una idea, y tú no puedes matar a una idea, solo puedes sustituirla por otra mejor”, afirma el jefe de la diplomacia europea para la Política Exterior y Seguridad de la UE. "Voy a proponer a los Estados miembros que la ayuda a Ucrania se concentre en los instrumentos nuevos de esta guerra: los drones y la inteligencia artificial”, explica el Alto Representante
Antena 3 - Josep Borrell, ante un posible ataque de Rusia a la OTAN: "No creo que Rusia se atreva, desencadenaría una respuesta colectiva"
"Si queremos que Ucrania resista, hemos de darle los medios para que lo haga", ha asegurado el alto mandatario de exteriores europeo en 'Espejo Público'.
El Pais - Borrell: “Putin y Trump aún no han ganado, pero pueden ganar; Europa tiene que despertar”
El alto representante de la UE para Política Exterior reclama a los Estados miembros que aumenten y aceleren la ayuda a Ucrania.
RTVE - Borrell propondrá a los Estados miembros "que adopten medidas contra quienes ejercen violencia contra los palestinos"
El alto representante de la Unión para Asuntos Exteriores y Política de Seguridad y vicepresidente de la Comisión Europea, Josep Borrell, ha dicho a RTVE que "impedir la entrada de ayuda humanitaria y someter a la población civil cortándole el agua y los suministros básicos va en contra del derecho internacional".
La Vanguardia - Josep Borrell: “El foro de Barcelona no es un complot contra Israel”
Behind paywall – El Alto representante de Política Exterior de la UE advierte que los países árabes aprovecharán el encuentro para reprochar a Europa su posición respecto al conflicto palestino-israelí
Reuters - EU faces growing Muslim animosity over Gaza war stance - Borrell
The European Union faces growing animosity across the Muslim world and beyond due to accusations of pro-Israel bias and double standards over the war in Gaza, the bloc's foreign policy chief has warned.
El País - Borrell: “Si Israel quiere construir la paz, no puede sembrar ahora más odio”
En una entrevista en Jerusalén, el alto representante de la UE para Asuntos Exteriores subraya que la situación humanitaria en Gaza es “absolutamente tremenda” y admite que el conflicto palestino-israelí “es muy divisivo en Europa”.
Al Jazeera - Exclusive Interview with EU Foreign Policy Chief Josep Borrell
EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said, in statements to Al Jazeera, that the Union provides humanitarian support to the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip and is working to stop the ongoing war.
EP Plenary: Speech by High Representative/Vice-President Josep Borrell on the elections in Serbia
Speech delivered by Commissioner for Justice, Didier Reynders, on behalf of High Representative/Vice-President Josep Borrell
De l'Ukraine à Gaza, des bombes s'abattent sur un monde fracturé. 2023 fut l'année des deux guerres ; 2024 sera celle des élections. Un diagnostic sur l'Europe au tournant signé Josep Borrell au Sommet Grand Continent.
VIDEOS
HR/VP Josep Borrell | G20 Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Brazil | 21-22/02/2024
HR/VP Josep Borrell attended the G20 Foreign Ministerial in Brazil, the first with African Union as a permanent member. On the agenda: a just peace in Ukraine, an end to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the need for a modernised global governance that reflects today's world.
Two years of war of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine | 24/02/2024
To the heroic people of #Ukraine: We will do whatever it takes for you to win the war.
Oleksandra Matviichuk, Head of Centre for Civil Liberties, 2022 Nobel Peace Prize | 24/02/2024
"This is not a war between two states. This is a war between two systems: authoritarianism and democracy.
The EU & G7 stand with Ukraine
The European and the G7 Union together for the sovereignty and the freedom of Ukraine. "We stand with democracy, for defence of European and global security, and for respect for international law," HR/VP Josep Borrell.
The EU at the side of Ukraine 24/02/2022 – 24/02/2024
2 years ago, full-scale war returned to European soil. An attack on international peace and security. An assault on the UN Charter. "We have been committed and we will be committed to support Ukraine for whatever it takes," HR/VP Josep Borrell. #StandWithUkraine #24Feb2022
2024 02 20 HRVP Signature of MoU with Guatemala
"With this Memorandum we demonstrate a clear and firm will to strengthen our bilateral relations, establishing a regular, open, and structured dialogue between the European Union and Guatemala," said HR/VP Josep Borrell after the signature of the Memorandum of Understanding with Guatemala.
HR/VP Josep Borrell | Press Conference after EU-Georgia Association Council | 20/02/2024
“Being a candidate country requires a new level of effort and increases the responsibilities of the government, opposition, and everybody.
HR/VP Josep Borrell | Foreign Affairs Council 19/02/2024 | Remarks
Middle East, Ukraine, the Sahel, the EU Naval Operation Aspides, the tribute to Alexei Navalny: HR/VP Josep Borrell takes stock of the discussion and the results at yesterday's EU Foreign Affairs Council. Full remarks here
