Eduardo González
The State Secretary for International Cooperation, Eva Granados, assured yesterday, before the EU Development Council in Brussels, that the conclusions of the independent report on UNRWA confirm “exactly” what Spain already said “in the month of February” and, therefore, that it is necessary “for the Member States and the EU to continue supporting” the agency.
Granados represented Spain yesterday at the EU Foreign Affairs Council (FAC) in its Development aspect, in which those responsible for this matter from the 27 member states debated two main issues: the Ukraine Plan, presented by the Government of Kyiv on March 20 to unlock disbursements within the framework of the first pillar of the Ukraine Facility for 2024-2027, conditioned by the progress of Ukraine’s reform and investment program; and the humanitarian situation in Palestine.
Regarding the first point, the 27 recalled that the European Commission has already transmitted its positive assessment of the plan, considering that it meets the necessary criteria, constitutes a specific and balanced response to the objectives of the Mechanism for Ukraine, addresses the challenges of the accession to the EU and responds to Ukraine’s recovery, reconstruction and modernization needs.
Likewise, as reported by the Council, the ambassadors of the EU Member States (Coreper) are expected to support today, May 8, the evaluation of the Ukraine Plan with a view to its approval and its implementation, by a qualified majority, in the Ecofin Council of May 14. EU support under the first pillar amounts to €38.27 billion (€5.27 billion in grants and €33 billion in loans) of the total amount of €50 billion in the Ukraine Fund.
“The plan covers key structural reforms, investments and improvements in public administration, the rule of law and the fight against corruption and fraud,” declared the EU High Representative for Foreign and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, at the press conference after the Council. “The support of Member States will enable payments under the Ukraine Facility,” he added.
For her part, Eva Granados declared to the press, upon her arrival at the Council, that Plan Ukraine “is the method and the instrument” that gives “coherence and effectiveness” to the Mechanism and, on the part of Spain, it is “welcome because it accompanies the necessary reforms to advance the reconstruction of Ukraine.”
Palestine and UNRWA
On Palestine, Development officials addressed humanitarian support to Palestinians in light of recent developments, as well as the deteriorating humanitarian situation and the need to adapt the response to address great needs and pave the way forward. “in a changing and challenging context.” The ministers also reflected on how best to support the Palestinian Authority’s reform programme, following the formation of a new Palestinian government.
“The EU and Member States continue to call for an immediate humanitarian pause leading to a sustainable ceasefire, the unconditional release of all hostages and the provision of humanitarian assistance,” Borrell stated. “We reiterate that everyone in the region must exercise restraint and take measures to reduce tension,” because “further escalation benefits no one,” he added.
The debate also addressed the report of the independent review group of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), led by former French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna. The FAC last March “welcomed” the launch, by the United Nations, of “an internal investigation and an external review following serious accusations against twelve members of UNRWA staff regarding their alleged participation in the terrorist attacks of October 7.”
In this regard, Eva Granados reiterated Spain’s position in favor of “strengthening support for UNRWA.” “Spain has done so, and I believe that the conclusions of the Colonna Report tell us exactly what we already said in the month of February,” she said. “We must continue to ask that Member States and the EU continue to support UNRWA,” she added.
The Government of Pedro Sánchez has recently approved two contributions for a total of 23.5 million euros to help UNRWA in its humanitarian work in Gaza and to meet the food, educational and health needs of almost six million Palestinian refugees in the region, despite the decision of a group of countries to freeze their contributions.
