Remarks by High Representative/Vice-President Kallas, Commissioner Kos and Commissioner Síkela on the Black Sea Strategy and increased efficiency of the External Action Guarantee

European Commission -Speech [Check Against Delivery] Remarks by High Representative/Vice-President Kallas, Commissioner Kos and Commissioner Síkela on the Black Sea Strategy and increased efficiency of the External Action Guarantee Brussels, 28 May 2025 High Representative/Vice-President Kallas Thank you, and good day everybody. Before updating you on the college meeting, I will raise two issues. First, today, the EU and NATO hold a Chinese state-backed actor responsible for a malicious cybercampaign against the Czech Republic. This attack is an unacceptable breach of international norms. The EU will not tolerate hostile cyber actions, and we stand in solidarity with the Czech Republic. Then, on the Middle East, the situation in Gaza remains dire. Israel's strikes in Gaza go beyond what is necessary to fight Hamas. Bypassing the UN in aid deliveries undermines humanitarian principles. And incidents challenging the special status of Jerusalem risk further escalating tensions. Now, [turning] to the College meeting. First, we discussed the EU Strategy for Start-ups and Scaleups. Executive Vice-President Stephane Séjourné and Commissioner Zaharieva will join you in the press room later after this conference is over to present this initiative. We also appointed Elisabeth Warner as Director-General for the Directorate-General for Agriculture and Rural Development (DG AGRI). The date of effect is 1st of June 2025. The Spokesperson's service will publish further...