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.
