The European Union is sending Javier Solana, its foreign policy chief, to the Middle East to meet with Yasser Arafat, the Palestinian leader who is under siege by Israeli forces in his headquarters in Ramallah. Joseph Pique, the Spanish Foreign Minister, who holds the rotating presidency of the EU, stated that Mr. Solana and Miguel Angel Moratinos, another EU representative, intend to meet with Mr. Arafat on Thursday. Meanwhile, Turkish officials have said that the foreign ministers of Greece and Turkey will visit Yasser Arafat and Israeli leaders together next week to demonstrate that old enemies can cooperate to achieve peace.
EU's Willingness to Meet with Yasser Arafat - 2002-04-23
The EU is sending Javier Solana to meet Yasser Arafat in Ramallah amid Israeli military pressure. This meeting is significant as it highlights diplomatic efforts to engage with Palestinian leadership. Additionally, Greece and Turkey plan to visit Arafat together, showcasing a united front for peace.
👥 Key Players
📰 What Happened
The EU is sending Javier Solana to meet with Yasser Arafat in Ramallah, where Arafat is currently under siege by Israeli forces. Additionally, Turkish and Greek foreign ministers plan to visit Arafat and Israeli leaders together to promote peace efforts.
- Javier Solana is leading an EU diplomatic mission to engage with Arafat.
- Turkey and Greece are collaborating in a diplomatic visit to Arafat and Israeli leaders.
💡 Why It Matters
📚 Background
The Israeli-Palestinian conflict has been a long-standing issue in the Middle East, with Arafat representing Palestinian aspirations for statehood. The EU's involvement indicates its role in seeking a resolution.
🏷️ Entities Mentioned
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