Borrell begins a tour of the Middle East this Sunday that does not include Israel

September 8 (EUROPA PRESS) –

The High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy of the EU, Josep Borrell, began a trip this Sunday that includes stops in Egypt and Lebanon, but not Israel.

“The visit takes place in the context of the war in Gaza, where the catastrophic humanitarian situation and the fate of the hostages make a ceasefire more necessary than ever,” the European External Action Service said in a statement.

Borrell will meet on Monday in Cairo with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, representatives of UN agencies and members of the Emergency Rescue Committee. Borrell will also inaugurate an EU-funded project to help children in the Gaza Strip and their caregivers on Egyptian soil.

The negotiations between Egypt, the United States and Qatar “will be on the agenda”, as will the EU’s efforts to “alleviate human suffering in the Strip”, according to the Brussels statement.

On Tuesday, Borrell will meet with Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelati, and later they will appear together at a press conference. Borrell will also attend a meeting of Arab League foreign ministers in Cairo.

On Wednesday and Thursday, Borrell will be in Lebanon, where he will meet with Prime Minister Nayib Mikati; the Speaker of Parliament Nabih Berri; the Commander of the Lebanese Armed Forces, General Joseph Aoun; and the Lebanese Minister of Foreign Affairs, Abdallah Bou Habib.