José Manuel Albares participates in the Foreign Affairs Council

In his speech, the acting Spanish foreign minister called for the European Union to lead the solution to the Middle East conflict, pointing out that the EU must be resolutely involved in the total and complete protection of Palestinian civilians, in compliance with international humanitarian law and in achieving definitive peace in the region. José Manuel Albares added that steps must be taken towards holding an international conference to promote a two-state solution and reiterated that the Barcelona summit for the Mediterranean on 27 November is "a new opportunity to lead". 

At the FAC in Brussels, ministers also discussed the war in Ukraine, with Dmytro Kuleba, head of Ukrainian diplomacy, speaking via video-conference. On this matter, Minister Albares stressed that "it has been yet another opportunity to reiterate that we will be with Ukraine at its side, for as long as necessary, and that this European horizon within the European fam​ily is the future we want for Ukraine." 

Moreover, during the EU-Western Balkans ministerial meeting - an initiative of the Spanish Presidency of the Council of the EU - Minister Albares stressed the firm support for the European path of our partners in the region, assuring that the enlargement of the EU is a priority of our Presidency. In this regard, the European Commission has recommended opening accession negotiations with Ukraine, Moldova and Bosnia and Herzegovina, which could be decided by EU leaders at their summit on 14-15 December.

Finally, in the margins of the FAC, José Manuel Albares also held meetings with his Montenegrin and Albanian counterparts to review the current state of bilateral relations.