Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda said suspending the European Union’s association agreement with Israel is not the best way to address humanitarian issues, calling for continued dialogue instead.
“Suspending or cutting off contacts can be done quickly, but the question is whether this truly contributes to solving the humanitarian problems, which, I will not hide, are indeed immense,” Nausėda said.
According to the president, a balanced position should be maintained to ensure diplomatic channels remain open.
“The better path is to talk and urge Israel to implement the provisions of the European Union-Israel association agreement. We still have significant diplomatic room for manoeuvre to do so. Therefore, I believe we should maintain a more balanced position and try not to cut off contact with Israel,” Nausėda said.
Discussions regarding the agreement emerged after Spain and Ireland proposed reviewing its suspension during a European Union ministerial meeting. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez argued the deal should be terminated due to potential violations of international law.
Germany and Italy have opposed the proposal.
The stance of several European Union member states toward Israel has hardened recently following military actions in Gaza, the invasion of Lebanon, and new legislation concerning the death penalty for Palestinians in the West Bank.
Newsletter
Every Friday morning.
