Brussels, 04/02/2005 (Agence Europe) - External Relations Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner will be in Egypt, Israel and the Palestinian Territories next Monday and Tuesday (7/8 February). After meetings in Cairo with Egyptian President Hosni Moubarak, the Commissioner will meet Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and the Chairman of the Palestinian Authority, Mahmoud Abbas, just a few hours before the long-awaited summit between the two leaders on 8 February in Sharm-el-Sheikh in Egypt. On Friday, Ms Ferrero-Waldner said she was encouraged by the “courageous action” taken on both sides to make the peace process move forward. “We all hope to see the declaration of a truce and a determination to pursue a peace process that can bring hope to people throughout the region”, she said. The European Commission will continue to support moves for peace and a two-State solution within the framework of the Road Map, she stressed. “During my visit, I will be discussing the conditions under which the Commission can provide support for Israel's planned withdrawal from Gaza, and how, through financial assistance and other means, we can continue to promote the reforms so essential to building a Palestinian State with good standards of governance and respect for the rule of law”, Benita Ferrero-Waldner said.