Metsola went on to say, “This is how we get more aid into Gaza, how we save innocent lives and how we push forward the urgent need for a two-state solution that gives real perspective to Palestinians and security to Israel.”

She described this as a “peace that empowers peaceful, legitimate, Palestinian leadership and that ensures lasting stability in the region.”

Metsola also proposed the setting up of an EU-led task force to assess how to mitigate the socio-economic consequences as a result of the situation in the Red Sea. “There is a role for Europe to play here too,” Metsola insisted.

Back in January, the European Parliament was the first institution to call for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza. Metsola expressed her “pride” at the EP’s stance.

She also touched upon Russia’s threat to peace, saying that “we must continue to do everything within our power to help Ukraine to continue to defend itself.”

With the European elections just around the corner, Metsola proceeded to urge EU citizens to go out and vote in June, adding that “while some actors will try to disrupt our democratic processes, focusing on the perils of disinformation, we cannot allow this destructive narrative, propaganda and disinformation to spread without countering it. We have to be ready to engage with the platforms.”

In the meantime, during the quarterly European Council meeting, Prime Minister Robert Abela called upon the Council of the EU to advocate for a lasting ceasefire in Gaza.

It is good that we provide humanitarian aid with European funds, but we must also press for a stop to the fighting.”

Amid mounting pressure, the United States has also taken a similar stance, with Secretary of State Antony Blinken revealing that a new United Nations Security Council resolution was drafted calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.

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What do you make of Metsola’s statement?