The Minister of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation, José Manuel Albares, reiterated last Thursday his call to the European Union to completely prohibit the trade of products originating from illegal settlements in the territories occupied by Israel during his participation in the Council of EU Foreign Ministers.
Albares emphasized that Spain has already implemented this prohibition at the national level and stressed that, according to an advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice in 2024, this trade is illegal.
“Europe must raise its voice and today is a very good opportunity,” the minister stated upon arriving in Brussels. Additionally, the meeting also addressed the situation in Ukraine, where the Ukrainian minister Andrii Sybiha reported on recent events and the country’s energy needs, which has suffered severe damage to its electrical infrastructure due to Russian aggression.
In another context, Albares participated in the second edition of the Donors’ Group for Palestine, where he announced a contribution of 4 million euros for 2026, adding to the 50 million already committed. The minister emphasized the need for stronger actions to alleviate the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and reiterated support for the two-State solution as the only way to achieve lasting peace in the region.
