By NNN-KUNA
Brussels : European Union (EU) Foreign Policy Chief Javier Solana has said that he will visit Egypt soon to discuss the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza following the tight Israeli blockade over the 1.5 million Gazans.
Solana told a press conference after a meeting of EU Council of Foreign Ministers Monday that he is in contact with the Arab League on the issue and urged the Palestinian Authority to take control of the Rafah border crossing.
The Council also discussed several other foreign issues like Pakistan, Iran, Lebanon,Sudan, Chad and Western Balkans.
On Pakistan, Slovenian Foreign Minister Dimitrij Rupel told reporters that “we have been assured that upcoming elections, on Feb 18, will be free, fair and democratic.”
However, the focus of Monday’s Council was on Serbia with the EU offering an interim political agreement to Belgrade which is expected to be signed on Feb 7.
EU Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn said he hoped the Serbians will “embrace the European future” and not a nationalist past, a statement that could be interpreted as influencing the next round of elections in Serbia.
The ultra-nationalist candidate, Tomislav Nikolic, won the first round against pro-EU current President Boris Tadic. The second round will be held on Feb 3.
The EU foreign ministers agreed to send a peacekeeping force to Chad and the Central African Republic. “It is the most important operation ever agreed by the EU,” stressed Solana.
The 3,500-strong EU contingent will protect refugees from Darfur and internally displaced people.