Foreign Minister Giulio Terzi has today formalised the Italian proposal to re-activate the European Union Border Assistance Mission (EUBAM) at the Gaza Strip. Minister Terzi submitted the proposal to the High Representative, Catherine Ashton, and to the European Union member states, the aim being to intensify the EU’s potential role in maintaining the truce between Israel and Gaza. The goal is to re-open the crossing points and support the economic development of the Gaza Strip, to ensure that the truce is sustainable.
Italy has suggested that, in addition to re-activating EUBAM, appropriate international instruments should be used to better effect to prevent the re-arming of Hamas via the tunnels. Our country is also calling for a top-level initiative by High Representative Ashton to call a meeting of the Quartet before the end of January 2013, after the Israeli elections and the installation of the new US administration, to relaunch the peace process.
EUBAM Rafah, as the Farnesina underscores, has been led since 25 September 2012 by Francesco Bruzzese del Pozzo, a Colonel of the Carabinieri. This is a further recognition of Italy’s important contribution to the European Union’s efforts in the Middle East and of the high professional standing of our personnel.
