BICOM

The European Union’s (EU) High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton will arrive in Israel today as part of a regional tour.

The EU’s foreign policy chief began her five-day trip in Jordan on Monday, where she toured a camp of Syrian refugees who have fled from the continuing violence in their home country. Ashton also met with Jordan’s King Abdullah and reportedly discussed efforts to revive Israeli-Palestinian peace talks. Yesterday she visited Lebanon, which erupted in violence at the end of last week following the killing of a senior intelligence official considered a fierce opponent of Syrian influence in the country. Ashton also expressed her “deep sympathy after Friday’s attack” and pledged “full European Union support for the unity of the country.”

She will arrive in Israel today and is scheduled to meet in Jerusalem with Israel’s President Shimon Peres, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Ehud Barak. Tomorrow Ashton will also meet with Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Salam Fayyad and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas.

Two issues that are expected to feature prominently in talks between Ashton and Israeli officials are Iran’s nuclear programme and Israeli West Bank construction. Ashton is leading the efforts of the Western powers to negotiate an agreement on Iran’s atomic development, amidst fears that Tehran is obtaining a nuclear weapon. Meanwhile, at the end of last week, Ashton issued a rebuke of Israel’s plans to build 797 additional homes in the East Jerusalem neighbourhood of Gilo, saying “Settlements are illegal under international law and threaten to make a two-state solution impossible.” Meanwhile, Netanyahu visited Gilo yesterday and stated, “United Jerusalem is Israel’s eternal capital, we have a full right to build in it.”