The EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice-President of the European Commission, Josep Borrell, will travel to Israel, Palestine, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Jordan from 16 to 20 November. The visit will take place against the background of the war against Hamas and the deepening humanitarian crisis in Gaza, following the 7 October Hamas terrorist attacks against Israel, and in the context of EU’s regional outreach, following-up to the latest European Council and Foreign Affairs Council.

On Thursday, the HR/VP will be in Israel, where he will meet with President Isaac Herzog, Minister Benny Gantz, Foreign Minister Eli Cohen, and opposition leader Yair Lapid and other interlocutors. He will also visit a community in the south of the country which suffered the 7 October terrorist attack. A joint press conference with Foreign Minister Cohen will be transmitted live on EbS. 

During his stay, the HR/VP will also meet with survivors of Hamas attacks, and families of the hostages, which are still being held in Gaza. The High Representative will hold talks with UN Representatives in the country, namely the UN Special Coordinator Tor Wennesland, UNRWA Acting Deputy Commissioner General Natalie Boucly, and UNICEF Special Representative Lucia Elmi.

On Friday, the High Representative will meet with peace advocates. He will then travel to Ramallah and exchange views with members of the Palestinian Civil Society. In the afternoon, the HR/VP will also have a series of meetings with Palestinian leaders: President Mahmoud Abbas, Prime Minister Mohamed Shtayyeh, that will be followed by a joint press conference, and Foreign Affairs Minister Riad al-Malki.

On Saturday, the High Representative will participate in the opening session of the Manama Dialogue in Bahrain and address at 09:15 AST, the plenary session on “War, Diplomacy and De-escalation” alongside Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein, and Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Sheikh Salem Abdullah Al Jaber Al Sabah. His panel will be transmitted on EbS. In the margins, he will engage in bilateral talks with regional counterparts. After that, the HR/VP will meet in Riyadh with Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud. 

On Sunday, HR/VP Borrell will travel to Qatar to meet with the Emir of Qatar and Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani.

The mission will conclude on Monday, when the HR/VP will travel to Jordan to hold meetings with King Abdallah II and Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi.

The mission will be an occasion to discuss all aspects of the situation in and around Gaza, including the European Union’s sustained flow of assistance to civilians, and wider political issues with regional leaders. The High Representative will advance diplomatic efforts with a view towards setting the conditions to reach a just and lasting peace between Israel, Palestine and in the region. The European Union is and will remain actively engaged with all its partners in order to work towards reviving a political process on the basis of the two-state solution.

Press engagements throughout the visit will be broadcast on EbS. Pictures and videos of the mission will be available on EbS and remarks of the press points will be published on the EEAS website.  Follow also @JosepBorrellF and @eu_eeas for further information and updates.