(Communicated by the MFA Spokesman's Bureau)
Javier Solana, the High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) and the Secretary-General of the Council of the European Union (EU) is arriving today (Sunday, 2 September) for a two-day working visit in Israel and the PA.
Solana's visit comes at the beginning of the political season in the EU and several days before the scheduled meeting of EU foreign ministers in Portugal. The ministers are expected to discuss, among other issues, the Middle East and particularly the Israeli-Palestinian arena.
Solana will meet with Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, Speaker of the Knesset Dalia Itzik, Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni, Defense Minister Ehud Barak, and with Vice Prime Minister Haim Ramon.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs assigns great importance to Solana's visit, against the backdrop of the EU's increased involvement in the region and the anticipated upgrade in bilateral relations between Israel and the EU.