A News Agency

Palestinian Foreign Minister Dr. Varsen Aghabekian Shahin attended a seminar titled "Can the European Union Deliver Justice for the Palestinian People?" held in Madrid, the capital of Spain. The event, organized at the invitation of the Ateneo de Madrid Cultural Center, discussed steps the European Union could take to protect the rights of the Palestinian people and ensure justice.

Speaking at the seminar, which was also attended by former EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and former Spanish Foreign Minister Josep Borrell, along with representatives of international human rights organizations, Shahin stated that civilians continued to lose their lives in Gaza despite the ceasefire. She said that hunger, disease, malnutrition and shelter problems were creating severe conditions in Gaza.

Shahin also addressed practices in the West Bank, including home demolitions, the displacement of Palestinians, settler violence, restrictions on movement and land confiscation. Referring to the advisory opinions of the International Court of Justice and the 2025 New York Declaration, Shahin said that states must fulfill their obligations to protect the Palestinian people's right to self-determination and ensure that those responsible for violations are held accountable.

Calling for broader recognition of Palestine as an independent and unified state, Shahin urged the international community to take action to end the occupation. She also expressed appreciation for Spain's support for the rights of the Palestinian people and the recognition of the State of Palestine.

Following the seminar, Shahin met with Josep Borrell to discuss the responsibilities of the European Union and its member states toward Palestine. During the meeting, it was emphasized that additional measures should be taken to prevent products manufactured in Israeli settlements from being imported into the European Union and sold in European markets.