EUHR Solana met President Hosni Mubarak and Amr Moussa in Cairo

Javier SOLANA, EU High Representative for CFSP, met President Hosni Mubarak and Amr MOUSSA in Cairo, Egypt, 22 and 23 May 2007

After his stops in Israel and Lebanon, Javier SOLANA, EU High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP), flew to Cairo, where he met President Hosni Mubarak and Amr MOUSSA, Secretary General of the Arab League.

Talking to the press, Javier Solana recalled that last week, EU Foreign Affairs Ministers had a meeting in Brussels with a delegation of the Arab League, during which the EU had the opportunity to reaffirm its support to the Arab Peace Initiative for the Middle-East:

"We met a week ago in Brussels. Much has happened since then and we must see now how we can reduce tension in the region. We are determined to help and to work with that purpose."

The High Representative underlined that co-operation with Egypt was very good: "Whe share a vision on how to co-operate. Our co-operation with Egypt is almost perfect".

On the Palestinian issue, Javier Solana reiterated the EU support to a two-state solution with a viable Palestinian State along the borders of 1967, living in peace and security with its neighbours. He expressed concern about the expansion of the Israeli settlements in the Palestinian occupied territories.

Mr Solana anticipated that, in agreement with Israel and the Palestinian Authority, the European Union Border Assistance Mission in Rafah (EUBAM Rafah) will be extended for a period of one year beyond its current expiry date of 24 May:

"Our presence at the Rafah border crossing point will continue, but we have to make sure that our presence there can be even more effective. We need better arrangements concerning the opening and the closing of the border."

Concerning the situation in Lebanon, Javier Solana reaffirmed the support to Prime Minister Siniora and his government:

"I was in Lebanon yesterday where I reiterated our support to Fouad Siniora and his government. We also support Lebanon through the EU Member States important contribution to UNIFIL and with the pledges made at the Donors Conference in Paris."

The High Representative also reiterated that he subscribed to the statement made by the Arab League condemning the terrorist acts in Lebanon and expressing support to the Lebanese army, which coincided with his views. Mr Solana said that he was concerned about the humanitarian situation in the refugee camps.

After Cairo, the High Representative will travel to Ramallah and Gaza where he will meet the Palestinian Authorities, including President Mahmoud Abbas, and back to Israel where he will conclude his visit with a meeting with Prime Minister Ehud Olmert.

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