Portugal's Foreign Minister Paulo Rangel confirmed this Monday that the European Union (EU) agreed to start the 14th package of sanctions against Russia.

"It was also agreed that we would start, let's say, the 14th package of sanctions against Russia", he stated to journalists from Luxembourg, mentioning that "there is no", however, "exact knowledge of what its scope will be" since "only this week" will it start to be "technically processed".

The "great urgency" of "supplying weapons" to Ukraine was also made clear and "there is", he said, "a reinforced commitment" in this regard. 

As expected, the situation in the Middle East was also discussed, and there was "consensus" on the need to "reduce tension" between Israel and Iran and make every "effort" to avoid an escalation of the conflict.

"The situation in the Middle East is obviously very relevant, first with the condemnation of Iran, with a very great insistence on all efforts, whether by the European Union or bilaterally, to allow, together with Israel and Iran, that there is no escalation. Therefore, we are doing all diplomatic work there to avoid any other reaction from either side that could escalate the conflict", said the minister.

"There is a very broad consensus on trying to reduce tension as much as possible, to make every effort", he added.

Extension of sanctions on Iran agreed

An "extension of sanctions on Iran" was also agreed, no longer only "related to drones, but to ballistic missiles and components". "I also think there was an easy agreement", indicated the Portuguese minister. 

The need for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip was also among the topics discussed

"There is also a very strong agreement that there should be a ceasefire. Of course, there is also a great commitment to the release of the hostages, and there is great concern about the situation of the hostages", he said.

"These two concerns are not new, but I would say that the insistence on the need to provide humanitarian aid is increasing more and more and, therefore, the idea that there must be an immediate ceasefire and that the only way to provide humanitarian aid. On this, I believe there is a great consensus", he also specified, adding that the question of thinking about a "medium and long-term solution for peace in that region" was also raised, in particular the "two-state solution", with the "vast majority being in favor of this solution". 

Following the recent Iranian attack on Israel and after the initial intention expressed in an extraordinary meeting on the situation in the Middle East last week, EU ministers are today attempting a political agreement to sanction Iranian missiles and extend restrictive measures against Iranian individuals and entities responsible for the transfer of 'drones' (unmanned aircraft), said a senior European official in the preview of the meeting.

It is worth recalling that today's meeting in Luxembourg took place at the height of the debate on strengthening support for Ukraine against Russian attacks on its cities and critical infrastructure. The Ukrainian Foreign Minister, Dmytro Kuleba, and Defense Minister, Rustem Umerov, participated via videoconference.

Portugal was represented by the Minister of State and Foreign Affairs, Paulo Rangel, and by the Secretary of State for National Defense, Ana Isabel Xavier.

[News updated at 4:09 pm]

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