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COMMISSIONER FOR EXTERNAL
RELATIONS BENITA FERRERO-WALDNER
VISITS THE MIDDLE EAST FROM 26 FEBRUARY TO 1 MARCH
European Commissioner for External Relations and
Neighbourhood Policy, Benita Ferrero-Waldner, will visit
Egypt, Israel, the Palestinian Territories and Jordan
from 26 February to 1 March. In each country the
Commissioner will discuss with key interlocutors how to
strengthen bilateral relations with the EU, and the
growing opportunities available under the European
Neighbourhood Policy (ENP) particularly in important
areas such as education and energy. The visit is also an
opportunity to explore with all parties the current
state of play in the Middle East Peace Process, and how
the EU can work with partners to create the conditions
for progress.
On the eve of her visit, Commissioner Ferrero-Waldner
said: “We all have an interest in maintaining the
political momentum of recent weeks. I look forward to
discussing with all parties how we can each play our
part in keeping the hope of progress towards peace in
the Middle East alive".
She added: "Through the ENP the EU offers its neighbours
a privileged relationship that brings advantages to both
sides. It strengthens our co-operation in areas of
mutual interest like trade relations, energy, migration
and visa issues and people to people contacts. Through
our joint Action Plans, we are deepening our political
relationships and economic integration – supporting
reforms where they are needed, always in line with each
country's own priorities for itself".
On 26 February in Cairo, Commissioner Ferrero-Waldner
will meet the President of the Republic of Egypt H.E.
Hosni Mubarak, Prime Minister H.E. Ahmed Nazif, Foreign
Minister H.E. Ahmed Aboul Gheit as well as other members
of the Egyptian Government. Commissioner Ferrero-Waldner
will discuss ways to strengthen the partnership between
the EU and Egypt through the ENP Action Plan, which will
be adopted by the EU-Egypt Association Council on 6th
March in Brussels. Commissioner Ferrero-Waldner will
also meet Head of Security General H.E. Omar Suleiman as
well as Secretary General of the Arab League H.E. Amr
Moussa.
On 27 February in Jerusalem, Commissioner
Ferrero-Waldner is expected to meet Israeli Prime
Minister Ehud Olmert and Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni.
Following the trilateral summit between Prime Minister
Olmert and Palestinian President Abbas in the presence
of the US Secretary of State Rice, and the meeting of
Quartet Principals in Berlin, discussions will focus on
how to advance the peace process. Bilateral relations
between the EU and Israel in the framework of the
European Neighbourhood Policy will also be discussed,
including the new opportunities under ENP that have
recently been proposed by the Commission. The
Commissioner will also have the opportunity to talk to
students of European studies at the Hebrew University in
Jerusalem about the current state of EU-Israel
relations.
On 28 February in the Palestinian territories,
Commissioner Ferrero-Waldner will meet many leading
Palestinian political figures. During her trip to the
region, she also expects to meet President Abbas.
Discussions will focus on how to maintain momentum
towards unity in the Palestinian political process
following the Mecca agreement, and the chances for
meaningful negotiations between Israelis and
Palestinians. In particular, the Commissioner will
explore the ideas that the European Commission is
developing at the request of the International Quartet
for the Middle East Peace Process (US, EU, UN and
Russia) to better co-ordinate and mobilise international
assistance in support of the political process and to
meet the needs of the Palestinian people, including
through the existing Temporary International Mechanism.
On 1 March in Amman, Commissioner Ferrero-Waldner will
meet Prime Minister Marouf al-Bakhit, Minister for
Foreign Affairs Abdelelah al-Khatib and Minister of
Planning Suhair Al Ali. They will exchange views on how
to further improve the very constructive partnership
between the EU and Jordan, the role the EU can play in
supporting Jordan’s reform agenda and Jordan’s role in
the Middle East peace process. The Commissioner will
also meet Minister of State Muhyiddine Touq, who is
currently chairing the Anna Lindh Euro-Mediterranean
Foundation for the Dialogue between Cultures based in
Alexandria and the Head of Intelligence General Dhahabi.
For more information on the EU's relations with Egypt,
Israel, West Bank and Gaza Strip and Jordan and on the
ENP at:
http://ec.europa.eu/comm/external_relations/egypt/intro/index.htm
http://ec.europa.eu/comm/external_relations/israel/intro/index.htm
http://ec.europa.eu/comm/external_relations/gaza/intro/index.htm
http://ec.europa.eu/comm/external_relations/jordan/intro/index.htm
http://ec.europa.eu/world/enp/index_en.htm
ENDS
Contact: Germaine Demian
Press and Information Officer
Delegation of the European Commission in Egypt
Tel:3749 46 80
germaine.demian@cec.eu.int
http://www.eu-delegation.org.eg |
