Brussels, 25/08/2005 (Agence Europe) - The EU High Representative for CFSP, Javier Solana, will visit the Middle East from 28 to 30 August, before an informal 'Gymnich' type meeting of EU foreign ministers in Newport (South Wales) on 1 and 2 September. In Israel, the West Bank and Gaza, Solana's meetings will focus on the Israeli withdrawal from the Palestinian territories, and the Middle East Peace Process, and the EU High Representative will stress the EU's commitment to do all in its power, as requested by both sides, to continue to help in a spirit of friendship and partnership, explains a press release from the Council of the EU.
On 28 August, Solana will be in Israel, where he will meet Israeli prime minister Ariel Sharon, deputy prime minister Shimon Peres, foreign minister Silvan Shalom, defence minister Shaul Mofaz and other members of the government. On 29 and 30 August Solana will travel to the Occupied Territories, where he will meet with the President of the Palestinian Authority, Mahmoud Abbas, and the prime minister Ahmed Qurei. In Lebanon on 30 August, the EU High Representative will meet the new prime minister, Fuad Siniora. A press release explains that he will encourage the new government of Lebanon to step up its efforts to meet the demands set out in UN Security Council Resolutions 1559 and 1595, and will express the EU's desire to encourage the political and economic reform process launched by Fuad Siniora.