EU foreign chief Baroness Ashton in Gaza Strip

Catherine Ashton, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice President of the Commission visited Egypt, Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, Israel and the Palestinian Territories from 14 to 18 March 2010. In the region Ms Ashton met with political leaders, civil society representatives, gave a key note speech in Egypt and met with representatives of the EUBAM Rafah and the EUPOL COPPS Missions.

She also visited Gaza, March 2010, on one of the highest level visits there by a Western official since Hamas took power.

Baroness Ashton's trip came amid a new push by the EU and US to revive stalled Middle East peace talks.

• Primary Source

European Union: Middle East Quartet Statement, Moscow, 19 March 2010 http://www.consilium.europa.eu/uedocs/cms_data/docs/pressdata/EN/foraff/113436.pdf

Deutsche Welle, 18.3.10: EU should 'look and learn' in Middle East http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,,5364775,00.html

France24, 18.3.10: Rocket attack mars EU foreign policy chief's Gaza visit http://www.france24.com/en/20100318-eu-foreign-policy-chief-ashton-arrives-gaza-strip-palestinian-territories-israel

European Union: Press Release: A35/10: Visit of HR/VP Ashton to the Middle East (14-18 March 2010) http://www.consilium.europa.eu/uedocs/cms_data/docs/pressdata/EN/foraff/113341.pdf

France24, 19.3.10: Mideast Quartet urges Israel to freeze settlement activity http://www.france24.com/en/20100319-mideast-quartet-urges-israel-freeze-settlement-activity-gaza-talks-moon-clinton-lavrov-blair-ashton

BBC News, 19.3.10: Middle East Quartet urges Israeli settlement freeze http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/8575723.stm

Deutsche Welle, 19.3.10: Middle East quartet should reconsider approach, experts say http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,,5367461,00.html

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