| Author (Person) | Beatty, Andrew |
|---|---|
| Series Title | European Voice |
| Series Details | Vol.11, No.30, 1.9.05 |
| Publication Date | 01/09/2005 |
| Content Type | News |
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By Andrew Beatty Date: 01/09/05 The EU might send a mission to monitor the frontier between Gaza and Egypt, it has emerged following Javier Solana's visit to the Middle East. According to diplomats, the possibility of establishing a mission to the region was discussed in talks between the EU's high representative for foreign policy and his Israeli and Palestinian counterparts. Such a move by the EU would constitute a major escalation in its involvement in the peace process. Solana held meetings with the Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and the Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, also known as Abu Mazen, during his three-day visit to Israel and the Palestinian territories. Following Israel's withdrawal from Gaza, which is due to be completed this month, the EU might send border monitors to assist the Palestinian Authority, as long as both sides agree. But major obstacles remain to the plan. Diplomats said that EU involvement comes on the condition that a deal on customs is done between Israel, the Palestinian Authority and Egypt. The plan also hinges on the EU being involved in negotiations on the text from the beginning. There appears to be agreement between the parties that the Palestinians will be responsible for goods and people leaving the Rafah crossing in southern Gaza for Egypt. But Israel still wishes to retain some control over entry into the strip because of security concerns. "It is a delicate situation," said one diplomat, "we cannot commit in the absence of an agreement." Israel remains doubtful that a complete takeover of customs and border duties by the Palestinian Authority would not reduce security. For Palestinians, the issue touches at the heart of Gaza's status as an occupied territory. They are keen to increase powers over customs control as an assertion of independence. In an attempt to defuse the disagreement, the EU has now indicated that it may be willing to assist in border monitoring and customs at the Rafah border crossing and perhaps also the Gaza-Israel Erez crossing. But diplomats say a deal remains some way off, with both sides sticking to their positions. According to diplomats, initial approaches were made by the Palestinian Authority in January this year. During a visit to the region on 9-14 July Solana is said to have discussed the prospect of EU assistance for the first time. The EU's strategy so far appears to be to wait and see. "We have no interest in pushing the sides too hard on this," said another diplomat. "It is not our duty to tell the parties what to do and what to think." So far the EU's role in the peace process has been largely limited to the economic sphere, with the Union acting as the largest donor to the Palestinian Authority. When he briefs EU foreign ministers today (1 September) at an informal meeting in Newport, Wales, Solana is expected to stress the importance of the Rafah problem. But he is also expected to give a positive assessment of the current mood in the region. Further discussions are expected to take place on the fringes of the United Nations World Summit in two weeks' time in New York. Article reports that the EU might send a mission to monitor the frontier between Gaza and Egypt, it has emerged following Javier Solana's visit to the Middle East. According to diplomats, the possibility of establishing a mission to the region was discussed in talks between the EU's High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy and his Israeli and Palestinian counterparts, 28-30 July 2005. |
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| Countries / Regions | Europe, Middle East |
