German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas, SPD, meets Israeli Foreign Minister Yair Lapid on the sidelines of the EU Foreign Council in Brussels. Photo: imago images/photothek via Reuters Connect

Israel’s Foreign Minister Yair Lapid addressed his 26 European counterparts during a speech to the EU Foreign Affairs Council, a first for a member of the Israeli government since Tzipi Livni in 2008.

In his remarks, Lapid said it is “no secret” that he supports a two-state solution between Israel and the Palestinians, but he noted that the conditions are not currently in place for a peace agreement.

“A future Palestinian state must be a democracy that seeks peace with Israel,” he said.

The Foreign Minister said he supported all humanitarian activities in favor of the Palestinians and any efforts made to improve their economic situation.

Josep Borrell, High Commissioner for Foreign Affairs of the European Union, welcomed Lapid to Brussels. In a statement, he said the latter’s visit offered an opportunity for a “fresh start” in relations between Israel and the EU, which he said had deteriorated considerably during the tenure of Benjamin Netanyahu.

“It is important that the new Israeli government comes here to Brussels. This is an opportunity for a new start, to relaunch the relationship with Israel from the point of view of our bilateral relations, but also of the situation in the Middle East,” Borrell said.