EUHR Solana welcomes 100,000th border crossing at Rafah

Summary: EUHR Solana welcomes 100,000th border crossing at Rafah (7 February 2006: Brussels)

Javier Solana, European Union High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy, today welcomed the 100 000th crossing of the border between Gaza and Egypt at the Border Crossing Point monitored by the European Union Border Assistance Mission.

HR Solana said: "Today, the number of border crossings at the Rafah Crossing Point managed by the Palestinian Authority and monitored by the EU Border Assistance Mission reached 100 000.

Since the border was reopened at Rafah last November, Palestinians have been able to move freely across the border. This has greatly improved their daily lives and has had a very positive impact on their economy and on the humanitarian situation, with greater opportunities for trade."

Further information

Since the border was reopened at Rafah on 25 November last year, some 51 000 people have crossed from Gaza into Egypt and some 49 000 have entered Gaza from Egypt. This adds up to 100 000 crossings in less than ten weeks, with an average of 1 385 people crossing each day.

EU COUNCIIL SECRETARIAT ~FACTSHEET~ European Union Border Assistance Mission for the Rafah Crossing Point (EU BAM Rafah)

The European Union (EU) established a EU Border Assistance Mission in November 2006 at the Rafah Crossing Point (Gaza-Egypt border), in the framework of the European Security and Defence Policy (ESDP).

Code-named "EU BAM Rafah", the Mission was established on the basis of the "Agreement on Movement and Access" reached between Israel and the Palestinian Authority (PA) on 15 November and following an invitation by the Palestinian Authority and the Government of Israel.

Aims/Scope of EU BAM Rafah

The aim of "EU BAM Rafah" is to provide a third party presence at the Rafah Crossing Point (RCP) in order to contribute, in co-operation with the European Community's institution-building efforts, to the opening of the Rafah Crossing Point and to build confidence between the Government of Israel and the Palestinian Authority. To this end, EU BAM Rafah:

- actively monitors, verifies and evaluates the performance of the PA border control, security and customs officials working at the Terminal with regard to the implementation of the APRC (Agreed Principles for Rafah Crossing) and acts with authority to ensure that the PA complies with all applicable rules and regulations concerning the Rafah Crossing Point and the terms of the APRC;

- contributes to Palestinian capacity building in all aspects of border control and customs operation; the Mission also has the role of training and capacity building of PA personnel at the RCP in all aspects of border control and customs operation, such as providing escorts and detecting false documents and forgeries;

- contributes to the liaison between the Palestinian, Israeli and Egyptian authorities in all aspects regarding the management of the Rafah Crossing Point.

The Mission does not undertake substitution tasks. Responsibility for border and custom management remains fully with the Palestinian Authority. The Palestinian Authority implements procedures as established in the Framework Agreement.

EU BAM Rafah has the authority to ensure that the Palestinian Authority complies with all applicable rules and regulations concerning the Rafah crossing point and the terms of the Agreement between the parties. In case of non-compliance it has the authority to order the re-examination and reassessment of any passenger, luggage, vehicle or goods. While the request is being processed, the person, luggage, vehicle or cargo in question is not allowed to leave the premises of the Rafah crossing point.

Opening hours of the Rafah Crossing Point and traffic across border

EU BAM started operations on 26 November 2005. During the first month the Rafah Crossing Point (RCP) was open five hours a day. On 27 December 2005 opening hours were extended to eight hours a day. They were extended again on 17 January 2006 to nine hours a day. When EUBAM enters its full deployment phase the border will open 24 hours a day.

EU BAM made special efforts to facilitate the exit of the pilgrims for the Hajj, opening for 20 hours a day from 22 to 27 December 2005 and also for their return from 13 to 17 January 2006, opening 20 hours a day in two shifts of 10 hours each.

During the initial phase, approximately 55 police officers from 15 Member States were deployed. In the full deployment phase this number will increase to 75 in order to operate the RCP 24 hours a day.

Although the Mission is initially foreseen to last 12 months, it could be extended for subsequent periods of six months, subject to the agreement of the two parties - GoI and PA- to the extension of EU BAM's mandate

By 7 February 2006, 100 000 people had crossed the RCP, some 51 000 of them from the Gaza Strip into Egypt and 49 000 from Egypt into the Gaza Strip. During the first few weeks of operations the average number of crossings was around 1 100 a day; this figure subsequently rose to around 1 300 and last week reached 1 500 a day. The overall average since the start of operations is 1 385 people per day.

Size, Structure and Duration of the Mission

EU BAM was officially launched on 25 Nov 2005 when the operational phase began, in the presence of: PA President Mahmoud Abbas, EU Special Representative for the Middle East Marc Otte, former US Security Coordinator William Ward, Head of Egyptian Information Services Omar Suleiman and EU BAM's Head of Mission, Lt. General Pietro Pistolese.

The Mission has a duration of 12 months.

EU BAM Rafah includes approximately 70 personnel mainly seconded from EU Member States.

Major-General Pietro Pistolese (Italy) is the Head of Mission of EU BAM Rafah.

Political Control

The EU's Political and Security Committee (PSC) exercises, under the responsibility of the Council of the EU, the political control and strategic direction of the Mission. High Representative Javier Solana gives guidance to the Head of Mission through the EU Special Representative for the Middle East Peace Process, Ambassador Marc Otte.

Budget

The financial reference amount intended to cover the expenditure related to the Mission until the end of 2006 will be € 11,475,200 (incl. EU Member States' contributions of € 3,875,200).

Ref: CL06-048EN
EU source: Council
UN forum:
Date: 9/2/2006

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