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EU Calls for Immediate Humanitarian Truce in Gaza

A handout photo made available by the Saudi Foreign Ministry press office, shows Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan (R) receiving EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell at AlUla, Saudi Arabia, 08 January 2024. (EPA/ Saudi Foreign Ministry handout)
A handout photo made available by the Saudi Foreign Ministry press office, shows Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan (R) receiving EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell at AlUla, Saudi Arabia, 08 January 2024. (EPA/ Saudi Foreign Ministry handout)
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EU Calls for Immediate Humanitarian Truce in Gaza

A handout photo made available by the Saudi Foreign Ministry press office, shows Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan (R) receiving EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell at AlUla, Saudi Arabia, 08 January 2024. (EPA/ Saudi Foreign Ministry handout)
A handout photo made available by the Saudi Foreign Ministry press office, shows Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan (R) receiving EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell at AlUla, Saudi Arabia, 08 January 2024. (EPA/ Saudi Foreign Ministry handout)

EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell renewed on Monday the call for an "immediate humanitarian truce" in the Israeli war on the Gaza Strip that has been ongoing for more than three months.

During a visit to Saudi Arabia's AlUla, Borrell discussed with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan the war in Gaza and the "joint peace initiative."

This was Borrell’s fourth trip to the region since Oct. 7 when the war in Gaza erupted.

He confirmed, in statements to reporters before leaving AlUla, that Europe will not participate in protecting commercial ships navigating the Red Sea as part of Operation Atalanta.

The military operation is being carried out by the EU Naval Force to combat piracy off the coast of Somalia.

Replying to a question by Asharq Al-Awsat, Borrell said the Europeans have no intention of taking part in protecting commercial vessels in the Red Sea amid the attacks by the Iran-backed Houthi militias in Yemen on international shipping.

The operation is aimed at combating piracy, he stated.

Borrell stressed that his discussions in Saudi Arabia focused on the efforts to achieve an immediate truce in the Gaza Strip and deal with the significant humanitarian crisis.

In a post in the "X" platform, he added that he discussed with the Saudi FM the joint peace initiative and steps to translate the international consensus on the two-state solution into action.

He declared: "The path will be difficult, but there is no alternative to peace."

He also extended an invitation to Prince Faisal to visit Brussels on Jan. 22.

Borrell had previously urged the need to stop the unfolding human tragedy in Gaza.

"We need an immediate humanitarian pause, leading to a more sustainable one and for hostages to be released," he posted on X.

The EU official also met with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken during his visit to Saudi Arabia.

They compared notes about their talks in the region and efforts to de-escalate, alleviate the unfolding humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, and bolster the indispensable UN role.

According to Reuters, a US official revealed that Blinken and Borrell discussed efforts to prevent the expansion of the Gaza conflict.

Back in September, the Saudi Foreign Ministry announced that the Kingdom, in cooperation with the Arab League, the EU, Egypt, and Jordan, had launched efforts to revitalize the Palestinian-Israeli peace process.

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Iranian Official to Asharq Al-Awsat: Committed to Peace and Stability with Saudi Arabia

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht Ravanchi (Reuters)
Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht Ravanchi (Reuters)
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Iranian Official to Asharq Al-Awsat: Committed to Peace and Stability with Saudi Arabia

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht Ravanchi (Reuters)
Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht Ravanchi (Reuters)

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht Ravanchi reaffirmed Iran and Saudi Arabia’s mutual determination to establish lasting peace and stability in the region.
Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat during his visit to Riyadh, Ravanchi emphasized that achieving this goal requires sustained bilateral and regional cooperation to address current threats and build a foundation for prosperity and security.
During his meetings with the Saudi Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, Eng. Waleed ElKhereiji, Ravanchi discussed strengthening bilateral relations in political, economic, and consular fields, and explored key regional and international issues.
He described Saudi-Iranian efforts as a “successful model of bilateral and multilateral cooperation,” aimed at fostering peace, security, and development on both regional and international levels. Ravanchi underscored the importance of historical ties and the principle of good neighborliness as the basis for advancing this relationship.
Following the second meeting of the Saudi-Chinese-Iranian trilateral committee in Riyadh, both Saudi Arabia and Iran reiterated their full commitment to implementing the Beijing Agreement, according to a statement by the Saudi foreign ministry. The accord, mediated by China, aims to restore diplomatic ties and promote mutual respect for sovereignty and security in accordance with the principles of the UN Charter, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), and international law.
China praised the progress achieved since the agreement’s signing, including the reopening of embassies and increased bilateral engagement. It pledged to continue supporting Saudi-Iranian efforts to deepen their cooperation and maintain regional stability.
Ravanchi, who previously served as Iran’s ambassador to the United Nations and was a member of the Iranian nuclear negotiating team with the P5+1, described the atmosphere of the meetings as “cordial and transparent.” He added that the three nations exchanged views on topics of mutual interest and stressed the importance of continuing this “positive and forward-looking process.” He also revealed “constructive and friendly” meetings held by the Iranian delegation with their Saudi hosts and Chinese counterparts, during which they discussed enhancing bilateral and trilateral cooperation and reviewed developments in relations over the past year.
One significant development has been the improvement in consular services. Over 87,000 Iranian pilgrims performed Hajj, and more than 52,000 completed Umrah in the past year, demonstrating enhanced coordination. Additionally, the first meeting of the Saudi-Iranian Joint Media Committee and the signing of an MoU between Saudi Arabia’s Prince Saud Al-Faisal Institute for Diplomatic Studies and Iran’s Institute for Political and International Studies further strengthened institutional ties.
The trilateral meeting also tackled pressing regional challenges, particularly the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The participants condemned Israel’s aggression in Palestine, Lebanon, and Iran, calling for an immediate cessation of hostilities and the continuation of humanitarian aid to affected regions. They warned that ongoing violence poses significant risks to regional and global security, including threats to maritime safety.
On Yemen, the parties reiterated their support for a comprehensive political solution under United Nations auspices. They emphasized the importance of dialogue and diplomacy to achieve lasting peace in the war-torn country.
Saudi-Iranian relations have undergone a remarkable transformation since the signing of the Beijing Agreement. The reopening of embassies, including Iran’s embassy in Riyadh in June after a seven-year hiatus, marked a turning point in their ties.
Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Consular Affairs Alireza Bigdeli described the day as a “historic milestone” in Saudi-Iranian relations. He expressed confidence that the renewed relationship would reach its peak, emphasizing that the restoration of ties between Iran and Saudi Arabia opens a new chapter in bilateral and regional relations, aimed at greater cooperation and stability.