Day: October 30, 2023
The social rights minister of Spain, Ione Belarra, has warned that the European Union (EU) may become complicit in a “genocide” if it does not take concrete measures to stop the hostilities in Gaza. Belarra made the statement on Monday, after a meeting with representatives of Palestinian civil society in Madrid.
Belarra said that the EU should use its diplomatic and economic leverage to pressure Israel to end its “illegal occupation” of Palestinian territories and respect international law. She also called for an immediate ceasefire and humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip, where more than 200 people have been killed since May 10.
“The EU cannot remain silent and inactive in the face of this tragedy. We have a responsibility to defend human rights and peace in the world. If we do not act now, we will be complicit in a genocide,” Belarra said.
Belarra’s remarks echoed those of other Spanish officials, who have expressed their solidarity with the Palestinian people and condemned the Israeli attacks on Gaza. Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said on Saturday that he was “deeply saddened” by the loss of innocent lives and urged both sides to de-escalate the situation. Foreign Minister Arancha Gonzalez Laya said on Sunday that Spain supports a two-state solution and a negotiated end to the conflict.
Spain is one of the EU member states that have called for an urgent meeting of the bloc’s foreign ministers to discuss the crisis in the Middle East. The meeting is scheduled to take place on Tuesday, May 18. The EU has also expressed its concern over the violence and called for an end to the escalation. However, the bloc has not taken any concrete actions or sanctions against Israel, which is one of its main allies and trading partners in the region.
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NPR News: 10-30-2023 4AM EDT
On October 26, a local media TV Formula reported that the Georgian Railways, a state-run joint-stock company, has been linked to the sanctioned Russian company.
According to Formula, on April 13, 2023, the Georgian Railway signed a contract with the intermediary company TAVRIDA ELECTROSYSTEMS, which according to the tender documents, has been contracted to purchase equipment manufactured by the Russian plant V. VOROVSKY TIKHORETSK MACHINE CONSTRUCTION. The TIKHORETSK plant was sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury on September 14, but the Georgian Railways’ contract, according to the website of the State Procurement Agency of Georgia, remains in force. The contract is worth GEL 3 million.
Commenting on the issue, Levan Davitashvili, the Minister of Economy of Georgia, reacted by saying this was “a case which requires individual approach and reaction.” “It is more than obvious that we have no relations with sanctioned companies, especially when it comes to the state,” the Minister added.
