EU Council extends mandate of EUBAM Rafah mission

The Council adopted, by written procedure, a joint action extending for a year, until 24 May 2008, the mandate of the EU Border Assistance Mission for the Rafah Crossing Point between Gaza and Egypt (EUBAM Rafah). The extension is renewable for a further six months.

EUBAM Rafah will continue to operate in accordance with the 25 November 2005 Agreement on Movement and Access between the Government of Israel and the Palestinian Authority and with the relevant arrangements made on the basis of agreements between the parties. The mission is extended at the request of the parties.

A financial reference amount of EUR 7 million is provided for to cover the expenditure related to the mission over the twelve months.

The Council established the mission on 25 November 2005, extended on 13 November 2006 for six months. The aim of EU BAM Rafah is to provide a third party presence at the Rafah Crossing Point between Gaza and Egypt in order to contribute, in co-operation with the European Community's institution building efforts, to the implementation of the Israeli-Palestinian Agreement on Movement Access, ensuring the opening of the Rafah Crossing Point, and to build up confidence between the parties.

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• EUHR Solana supports EU missions in Palestinian territories (3/9/2007)
• Middle East Quartet Statement - Berlin (31/5/2007)
• EUHR Solana welcomes extension of EU border assistance mission at Rafah Crossing Point (24/5/2007)
• EUHR Solana met President Hosni Mubarak and Amr Moussa in Cairo (23/5/2007)
• EUHR Solana welcomes 100,000th border crossing at Rafah (9/2/2006)