The Brussels Desk · IndependentBrussels desk
CouncilThursday, 24 September 2026 · 2 min read

EU Council President António Costa Addresses International Summit on Gaza Peace Plan

The European Council chief presents the EU's diplomatic stance on a two-state framework at a high-level gathering.

The Brussels Desk · Updated 7h ago

What happened

European Council President António Costa addressed a high-level international meeting dedicated to advancing a two-state solution and discussing a comprehensive peace plan for Gaza. The gathering brought together international representatives and diplomats to address the conflict in the Middle East and chart a path toward long-term regional stability. Speaking on behalf of the EU's highest political body, Costa reaffirmed the bloc's commitment to diplomatic engagement, international law, and political negotiations aimed at establishing a durable peace framework.

Why it matters

The EU's participation in international peace initiatives reflects its attempt to exercise diplomatic weight in global security and humanitarian crises. While foreign policy execution rests primarily with national governments, the European Union as a bloc represents one of the world's largest diplomatic networks and financial donors for humanitarian relief and reconstruction. Coordinated diplomatic positions from Brussels directly affect international aid delivery, multilateral negotiations, and broader regional stability across the Mediterranean, which has direct consequences for European security, trade, and diplomatic credibility.

The Brussels angle

In Brussels, foreign policy is one of the most procedural and delicate balancing acts. The European Council—the institutional body composed of the heads of state or government of all 27 EU member states—sets the top-level political direction of the bloc. As Council President, António Costa speaks for the consensus forged among national capitals. Because foreign policy decisions in the EU require unanimity among member states, high-level statements on Middle Eastern diplomacy reflect a carefully calibrated common ground among 27 distinct national foreign offices, each with its own historical relationships and strategic priorities.

What happens next

Following the international gathering, European leaders will continue coordinating their diplomatic positioning ahead of upcoming EU summits and United Nations sessions. European diplomats will consult with regional partners and international bodies to monitor progress on the Gaza peace plan and assess options for supporting humanitarian and political initiatives.

gazaeuropean counciltwo-state solutionforeign policy

Written from these sources

Facts are extracted from primary institutional material and written independently by The Gazette desk.

The Brief

Brussels, decoded, once a week. No fog, no jargon, one good dry joke.