Finland supports the EU's call for Israel to lift the blockade of humanitarian aid into Gaza, according to Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen (NCP).
If Israel does not allow the supplies to reach Gaza, Finland would also support tightening the terms of an EU trade agreement with the Middle Eastern country.
On Thursday, Valtonen attended an informal meeting of EU foreign ministers in Warsaw, where they discussed the situation in Gaza and the EU-Israel free trade agreement.
That agreement is a legal framework for trade, dialogue, and cooperation between Israel and the EU. It offers Israel benefits such as tariff exemptions and access to EU programmes. It also mentions the importance of protecting human rights.
The Netherlands has called for a review of the EU-Israeli free trade agreement, over Israel's blocking aid into Gaza.
Valtonen said Finland supports such a review, noting that humanitarian aid should never be used as a tool of warfare.
"Under no circumstances should people's suffering be politicised, as Israel is currently doing," the minister said.
A joint statement from EU leaders issued earlier this week noted that no humanitarian supplies have entered Gaza for more than two months. The statement reiterated the EU's "urgent call on Israel to lift the blockade on Gaza immediately".
It also pointed out that using aid as a tool of war is illegal and repeated a call for a resumed ceasefire.
'Lift humanitarian aid blockade'
Minister Valtonen said the most important thing would be to get Israel to lift the aid blockade.
"It can't get much worse, because Israel hasn't allowed food shipments into Gaza for months," Valtonen said, but she also noted that the Palestinian extremist group Hamas has not released all the hostages captured the bloody October 2023 attack.
"There is no direct negotiation with Hamas. Together with the international community, we are seeking a future for Palestine where terrorists are not in power and where a Palestinian Authority that is committed to a peaceful future, including the security of Israel, comes to power," Valtonen said.
Earlier this week, Helsingin Sanomat reported that researchers have urged Finland to pressure Israel through the Association Agreement, citing the EU's leverage as Israel's largest trading partner.
Valtonen in Ukraine
After Thursday's meeting in Warsaw, Minister Valtonen went to Ukraine for another informal meeting of EU Foreign Ministers in Lviv on Friday.
The meeting is hosted by EU High Representative Kaja Kallas and Ukraine Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha.
A session at the gathering discussed establishing a special tribunal to address Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine.
According to Reuters, the setting up of the special tribunal would be the responsibility of the Council of Europe, which is Europe's leading human rights watchdog. The tribunal could begin operating as soon as next year.
According to the Finnish foreign ministry, the Lviv meeting highlights the EU's strong support for Ukraine and Finland's backing of efforts to hold Russia accountable.
"Ukraine has demonstrated time and again its desire for lasting peace. This effort — like the Ukrainians' fight for European security now in its fourth year — deserves our strongest possible support going forward. The meeting in Ukraine is very important for strengthening our joint efforts," Valtonen said.
