Brussels - Sharm El-Sheikh: Europe and the Arabs
The European Union institutions in Brussels announced that European Council President António Costa is among the participants in the "Sharm El-Sheikh Peace Summit" on Monday, October 13, on behalf of the European Union, at the invitation of Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and US President Donald Trump. According to a statement issued in Brussels, he added, "A long path to peace begins in Egypt. The international community is united in its commitment to a future where Palestinians and Israelis live side by side in peace and security. For the first time in a long time, there is real hope. Hope for the release of all hostages, a ceasefire, and unrestricted humanitarian access to Gaza. Hope for a just and sustainable peace and a brighter future, based on the two-state solution. Together, we will help rebuild Gaza and heal the wounds. We will not forget the horrific events of October 7, 2023, which must never be repeated." According to the statement, António Costa, President of the European Council, said that President Costa will participate in the Sharm el-Sheikh ceremony and witness the signing ceremony of the agreement to end the war in Gaza, which will be signed by the mediators and President Trump. The agreement on the first phase of the Middle East peace plan, brokered by the United States, Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey, represents a crucial achievement in ending the war in Gaza and achieving a ceasefire. Permanent, the release of all hostages, and the full return of humanitarian access to the Strip.
The European statement said, "The European Union is committed to contributing to the transitional governance, recovery, and reconstruction processes to ensure the success of the next phase, including continued support for the Palestinian Authority. These efforts will pave the way for long-term stability, based on a two-state solution, with Israel and the State of Palestine living side by side in peace and security."
The statement noted that President Costa's visit to Dublin, initially scheduled for Monday, October 13, and his meeting with Prime Minister Micheal Martin, will be postponed to a later date.
According to the European statement, the European Union remains firmly committed to peace, security, and stability in the Middle East. In its June 2025 conclusions, the European Council reiterated its call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and the unconditional release of all hostages, leading to a permanent end to hostilities. He expressed his regret over the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip and reiterated his strong condemnation of the escalation in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, following increased settler violence, the expansion of illegal settlements, and Israeli military operations. The leaders affirmed the European Union's firm support for a lasting and sustainable peace based on the two-state solution and stands ready to contribute to all efforts aimed at achieving this outcome.
The European Union and its Member States are among the world's leading donors of humanitarian aid, including to the Palestinian people, with the aim of saving lives, preventing and alleviating human suffering, and preserving human dignity. Last September, President Costa participated on behalf of the European Union in the High-Level International Conference on the Peaceful Settlement of the Palestinian Question and the Implementation of the Two-State Solution, co-organized by France and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia during the United Nations General Assembly in New York City.