The European Union (EU) on Wednesday welcomed the handover of Gaza border crossings to the Palestinian Authority (PA) and expressed readiness to dispatch its mission to the Rafah crossing upon request.
“Today’s handover of Gaza crossings to the Palestinian Authority is an important step in the implementation of the agreement signed in Cairo on 12 October and towards allowing the Palestinian Authority to resume its full responsibilities in Gaza and achieving intra-Palestinian reconciliation” according to a press release issued by a spokesperson for the EU’s foreign affairs and security policy.
“The European Union reiterates its readiness to provide its full support to the efforts to reunite Gaza and the West Bank under one single and legitimate Palestinian Authority. This includes our readiness to redeploy the EUBAM Rafah mission if requested by the parties and as soon as the conditions allow. Contacts with all relevant stakeholders on possible EU contributions are ongoing.”
“We will continue to liaise with the Palestinian Authority Egypt Israel and our international partners including in the Quartet in order to help this process to succeed which is critical for reaching a negotiated two-state solution and sustainable peace.”
