The European Council also discusses the conflict in the Middle East, increasing support for Ukraine, migration and counter-terrorism measures.
BRUSSELS The security situation in the Baltic Sea will be discussed at the European Council’s two-day summit in Brussels.
The draft conclusions of the meeting emphasize securing critical infrastructure and common preparedness for possible crises and threats.
Prime minister Petteri Orpo (co.c.) said yesterday, Wednesday, that he would inform his European colleagues about the breakage of the Balticconnector gas pipeline. Orpo also plans to discuss the matter bilaterally with the president of the commission Ursula von der Leyen with.
According to Orpo, funding could also be available for repairing the pipe through the EU’s toolkit focusing on hybrid threats.
The toolkit is a tool established by the EU last year, which enables the EU to take joint actions against hybrid threats. According to Orpo, cooperation with the EU has been good.
– The EU has been strictly involved in the investigation since the beginning of the case and has offered its help and support as well as NATO.
Aid to Gaza is hoped for relief
The European Council also takes a position on the inflamed situation in the Middle East. The leaders are expected to condemn Hamas attacks on Israel and demand the immediate release of the hostages.
The EU is also very concerned about the development of the humanitarian situation in Gaza. Director of External Relations by Josep Borrell according to which there should be a pause in the military operations in Gaza so that urgent humanitarian aid can arrive.
At the summit, however, we expect a tussle over wording and a discussion about what is meant by a humanitarian pause.
Several EU countries, including Germany, oppose the idea of a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, as it is seen as limiting Israel’s right to defend itself against a Hamas attack.
EU leaders are expected to take a stand for restarting the Middle East peace process based on the principle of two states for Israel and Palestine.
Arms aid to Ukraine is being considered
Ukraine is another persistent topic at the Brussels summit. The EU is currently discussing a long-term increase in arms aid to Ukraine through the EU Peace Fund.
The EU is to establish a separate fund of 20 billion euros, which would channel armed aid to Ukraine until 2027. An agreement has not yet been found among the EU countries on the foundation of the fund.
The EU leaders are also discussing the use of funds seized from Russia for the benefit of Ukraine. The legally complex issue has so far not progressed in EU decision-making.
The meeting is also expected to discuss EU countries’ relations with Russia. Prime Minister of Hungary Viktor Orbán and the president Vladimir Putin the meeting in Beijing in mid-October has caused a stir in Brussels.
Relations between Hungary and the EU have become inflamed due to the dispute related to the shortcomings of Hungary’s rule of law. The country has also held back decisions on sanctions against Russia and increasing arms aid to Ukraine.