On Friday 10 October, a spokesperson for the European External Action Service commented on the subject of the European Union’s role in implementing US President Donald Trump’s peace plan for the Middle East, confirming the EU’s intention to redeploy its civilian missions, ‘EUPOL COPPS’ and ‘EUBAM Rafah’ (see EUROPE 13670/26).
“Direction has remained unchanged. Our priority is to stop the suffering on the ground”, stated Anouar El Anouni at midday on Friday in front of the press. The spokesperson emphasised the EU’s “important role” in implementing the Trump plan, recalling Europe’s ongoing support for the civilian population and the Palestinian Authority.
“We are ready to redeploy our EUBAM Rafah mission at the border crossing of Rafah”, he added. The mission was temporarily redeployed last February, at the time of the first ceasefire (see EUROPE 13571/41).
The ‘EUPOL COPPS’ mission, tasked with supporting the Palestinian civil police and judicial institutions, is also part of the EU’s peace efforts.
“The plan is to redeploy those two missions that we already have. If we need to change the mandate or extend the mandate, then we are ready to discuss with the Member States what we can do more”, said EU High Representative, Kaja Kallas, at international talks held in Paris on Thursday.
The first phase of the withdrawal of Israel’s military troops from the Gaza Strip was announced on Friday, while the return of the last Israeli hostages is expected next Monday. Support from the E3. The leaders of France, Germany and the United Kingdom – who make up the ‘E3’ group – welcomed the announcement of the peace plan on 10 October. Following a trilateral meeting, they declared that the United Nations Security Council should “fully endorse the plan and support its implementation”. (Original version in French by Bernard Denuit)