EU foreign affairs ministers will hold an informal video conference on Tuesday 18 May. Finland’s representative at the meeting will be Minister for Foreign Affairs Pekka Haavisto.

The informal meeting of EU foreign ministers will discuss the conflict between Israel and the Palestinian Territory and especially the upsurge of violence in May 2021. The focus will be on the Israel - Gaza conflict. The clashes between population groups, which have broken out in various parts of the country, will also be discussed.

Finland considers that the objective must be to reach a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas and to stop the violence. From Finland"s point of view, primary importance should be placed on the protection of civilians and delivery of humanitarian assistance. The escalation of the conflict must be stopped. Finland considers that the EU should support efforts to resolve the conflict by using all possible means to exert influence on the parties to the conflict and to help reach a ceasefire.