to the Middle East Peace Process Marc Otte met this afternoon to officially mark the conclusion of the agreement on third party mechanism the ‘EU Border Assistance Mission (EU-BAM) at the Rafah Crossing Point on the Gaza Egypt border’. Vice Prime Minister Shimon Peres, who has led the Israeli delegation in the negotiations on this issue, handed an official letter to Marc Otte whereby the State of Israel officially invites the EU to be the third party at the Rafah Crossing Point on the Gaza-Egypt border. This formal agreement on the third party mechanism follows the conclusion the ‘Agreed Principles for Rafah Crossing’ between the Government of Israel and the Palestinian Authority of 16 November 2005, and outlines the mechanism for the EU’s deployment of the EU-BAM at the Rafah Crossing Point on the Gaza-Egypt border. The Vice Prime Minister Stated the Following upon Handing EU Special Representative Marc Otte the Letter: „
This is a document that ends the withdrawal from Gaza and opens a new chapter for the peace process’ continuation. What happened in Gaza is a pilot plan. Without this document we would be disengaged from Gaza but Gaza would not be engaged in a new life. It opens up Gaza. „This document is also important for the relationship between Europe and the Middle East in general, and Israel in particular. The newly formed European role and responsibility have been accepted by all parties concerned Israel, the Palestinians, the Quartet, and the world. This is a paper of commitment, of hope. The Government elected will have to continue the peace process. The precedent of European participation will help us overcome other difficulties, in a creative manner and with the contribution of all parties. I am glad we can offer this document to continue the road of peace.
I want to thank you and Javier Solana who represent the EU, and UK Prime Minister Tony Blair who is presiding [over the EU Presidency]
for your contribution, your help, your participation
.” In response to a reporter’s question, Vice Prime Minister Shimon Peres stated: „I am a many with many last days. Governments come and go, what is important is not the Government, but the policy. We are all deeply interested in the road to peace. It goes slowly, but it moves. We must invest
BPI.
BPI.
