(L-R) Xavier Bettel, Luxembourg's Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade; Kaja Kallas, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy; Constantinos Kombos, Cyprus' Minister of Foreign Affairs;
Credit: MAE
Luxembourg's Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs, Defence, Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade has reported that Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Xavier Bettel, participated in the meeting of the European Union Foreign Affairs Council (FAC), held on Monday 15 June 2026 in Luxembourg-Kirchberg.
Discussions on Russia's aggression against Ukraine took place in the context of a new night of Russian attacks against Ukraine, including strikes targeting Kyiv and the Church of the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra, an important Ukrainian Orthodox monastery. The attacks were strongly condemned by all EU member states.
The discussion on the Middle East focused on developments in Iran, Israel and Palestine, as well as Lebanon. Minister Bettel welcomed the agreement of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Iran and the United States aimed at ending the conflict between the two countries, while noting that the situation remains fragile and uncertainties persist.
Regarding developments in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, Xavier Bettel underlined the importance of the EU adopting targeted trade measures against products originating from illegal settlements. He called on the European Commission to present a concrete proposal for such measures, a request Luxembourg has repeatedly raised during preparatory meetings ahead of the FAC.
According to the ministry, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission Kaja Kallas noted broad support among member states for the Commission to propose trade measures.
Minister Bettel also referred to the actions of Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir towards members of the flotilla, describing such behaviour as unacceptable, a position shared by the vast majority of member states.
Prior to the FAC meeting, Minister Bettel participated in an informal exchange with Armenia's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ararat Mirzoyan.
Following the FAC, Luxembourg's Foreign Minister took part in the EU-Egypt Association Council. During his intervention, Minister Bettel highlighted the importance of continuing cooperation between Egypt and the European Union, particularly in creating opportunities for younger generations on both sides of the Mediterranean.
Intergovernmental conferences (IGCs) with Moldova, Montenegro and Ukraine were held after the FAC. According to the ministry, Cluster 1, covering the Fundamentals, was opened during the conferences with Ukraine and Moldova, while the provisional closure of two additional negotiating chapters was agreed during the conference with Montenegro.
On the sidelines of the FAC, Minister Bettel also held bilateral meetings with the foreign ministers of Moldova, Montenegro, Ukraine and Egypt.
