Leaders of China, France, EU call for cease-fire in Gaza

By Riyaz ul Khaliq

ISTANBUL (AA) – Chinese President Xi Jinping, French President Emmanuel Macron and EU Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen Monday reiterated their call for a cease-fire in Gaza at a three-way meeting in Paris.

In brief comments to the media after the meeting, the EU Commission chief said: “We discussed the situation in the Middle East which is of great concern to both of us.”

“No effort can be spared in de-escalating tensions and preventing a wider conflict in the region,” said von der Leyen.

“Once again, we call for a cease-fire (in Gaza) and for the release of all hostages and we continue to work to provide all humanitarian support possible while working for a two-state solution,” said the EU Commission chief.

The call for a cease-fire in the besieged Palestinian enclave of Gaza comes as the Israeli army issued on Monday morning urgent evacuation orders to Palestinian residents and displaced individuals in several areas of eastern Rafah ahead of a possible ground invasion, urging them to immediately relocate to the town of al-Mawasi.

Rafah is home to 1.5 million displaced Palestinians who have taken refuge from the war that started after the Oct. 7, 2023 Hamas incursion that claimed around 1,200 lives.

Since then, the Israeli onslaught has killed nearly 34,700 Palestinians, mostly women and children, besides causing widespread hunger and disease and reducing much of Gaza to rubble.

- Russia, Iran, trade also discussed

Xi reached Paris on Sunday, on a first trip to Europe since 2019.

He will also visit Hungary and Serbia during the trip which will conclude on May 10.

Von der Leyen said the trilateral meeting also discussed Russia’s war on Ukraine, Iran, climate change and economic relations between the EU and China.

“Europe and China have shared interests in peace and security,” said the EU Commission chief.

“We count on China to use all its influence on Russia to end Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine.

“President Xi has played an important role in de-escalating Russia’s irresponsible nuclear threats,” said Von der Leyen.

According to Hua Chunying, spokeswoman for China’s Foreign Ministry, Xi pointed out that Beijing “always approaches its relations with the EU from a strategic and long-term perspective.”

China “regards Europe as an important dimension in its major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics and an important partner on its path toward Chinese modernization,” Xi told the meeting.

He expressed the hope that China-France and China-EU relations would “reinforce each other and thrive together.”