EU foreign policy chief to visit Israel, Palestinian territories

European Union (EU) foreign policy chief Javier Solana will soon visit Israel and the Palestinian territories, Palestinian sources said on Saturday.

The sources said Solana's visit is aimed at coordinating the operation of the Rafah crossing on the Gaza-Egypt border between Israel and the Palestinian National Authority.

Solana will discuss with Palestinian officials the role of the EU as a third party in operating the Rafah crossing and an EU- sponsored development plan in the Gaza Strip designed to revive the territory's economy.

But the sources did not reveal the exact date of Solana's arrival.

Meanwhile, Israeli media reported that Solana will meet with Israeli Deputy Prime Minister Shimon Peres in Tel Aviv on Thursday.

Israel has recently nodded to an Egypt-proposed plan that the Rafah crossing be co-operated by Egypt and the Palestinian security forces under the supervision of the EU.

Earlier in the day, an EU delegation arrived in Rafah to station observation cameras at the crossing, which is expected to be fully re-operated on Nov. 25.

The Rafah crossing is the only exit for Palestinians living in the Gaza Strip to travel abroad. The international community has been pressing Israel to agree to the re-operation of the key crossing since the Israeli complete withdrawal from Gaza in September.

Source: Xinhua