Erekat urges EU to help opening terminals and crossing

Chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat Monday urged the European Union (EU) to interfere to the Israel to allow the Palestinians operating crossings and terminals on the borders with Egypt and Israel.

Erekat made the call while meeting with European diplomats and representatives in Jericho in the West Bank.

Though Israel withdrew from the Gaza Strip, it has kept closed the Rafah crossing on the borders between Gaza Strip and Egypt, as well as all other terminals and passages between Israel and the Palestinian territories.

Erekat told the EU diplomats that Israel has to allow the Palestinians to have a free access of individuals, cars and goods between Gaza and the West Bank.

Meanwhile, Erekat also said in a written statement sent to reporters that the Palestinian side had in principle accepted to hold a summit meeting soon between Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon.

The summit meeting should have real serious preparations before it is held in order to make it succeed after agreeing on resolving all the outstanding issues between the two sides, stressed Erekat.

Source: Xinhua