Cathy Ashton is in the Middle East, again

The High Representative of the European Union is in the Middle East for a 2-day visit. According to her spokesperson, she will meet the "key" leaders of the two Israeli and Palestinian authorities and confirm Europe's commitment to the peace process. Before leaving she said that "urgent progress is needed to promote Israeli-Palestinian peace and the European Union will continue to support all efforts towards this goal. There is no other initiative than a negotiated solution". And to add: "We want to see the State of Israel and a sovereign and viable State of Palestine, living side by side in peace and security.” By the way, Cathy Ashton also wants to confirm an emergency: “the need for the opening of crossing points in Gaza in order to facilitate reconstruction and economic recovery".

Marking the concrete commitment of Europeans

This visit is part of a determined approach by the High Representative who has decided to make this subject one of her priority files (along with piracy and relations with China and the United States). This is his third visit to the region. It thus aims to silence certain criticisms (notably French and Spanish) expressed during the last negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians which were opened in the absence of the Europeans. It also marks a very concrete commitment of Europe in the region. A new check for 100 million euros was made in December by the European Commission to the Palestinian Authority to pay the civil servants. While the European project to participate in the opening of Gaza crossing points is taking shape.

The enhancement of diplomatic relations with Palestine in the line of sight

This visit is also part of a diplomatic mechanism aimed if not at the formal recognition of the Palestinian State with a sign of additional support. Several countries of the European Union should thus soon raise the level of their diplomatic relations with the Palestinian Authority. An approach made at the national level but concomitantly by a dozen countries: Denmark, Sweden, Finland, France, Spain, Belgium, Germany, Austria and Malta... It is in particular a question of better situating the Palestinian Authority on the diplomatic protocol list.

Also read on the same topic:

• Will the EU get more involved on Gaza's borders?
• When Nicolas goes up the suspenders to José-Manuel
• Busy few days for Cathy Ashton from the Caucasus to Afghanistan
• EU – Israel. A high-level EU delegation to Gaza in July (update)
• EU confirms opposition to Israel's construction policy in East Jerusalem