Chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat welcomed on Tuesday the European Union's (EU) decision to send a delegation of 70 security monitors to the Rafah crossing on the Gaza-Egypt border.

Erekat made the remarks in a Tuesday press statement following a three-party meeting on Monday night attended by Mark Otte, the EU envoy for the Mideast peace process, and Palestinian and Israeli officials.

Erekat said the meeting had covered all the issues related to operating the Rafah crossing due to be re-opened on Friday.

The three parties agreed that 70 European monitors headed by veteran Italian police officer Pietro Pistolese will be divided into three teams, each working eight hours a day, said the chief negotiator.

The EU delegation includes monitors from Spain, Britain, Germany, Denmark and Italy, he added.

Israel and the Palestinians clinched a long-awaited deal on Nov. 15 on Gaza border crossings after intense talks brokered by US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.

Under the agreement, the Rafah crossing, the only exit for Gazans to the outside world, will be re-opened under the presence of EU monitors on Nov. 25.

Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas will host the opening ceremony at the Rafah crossing on Friday, which will invite over 1,200 local and international dignitaries.

Source: Xinhua