European Union foreign ministers plan to give their formal approval Monday to launch a mission to monitor the border crossing between the Gaza Strip and Egypt. British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw, whose country holds the rotating EU presidency, said the 25 EU ministers would also assess the latest political upheaval in the Israeli government, after Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon decided to leave his Liked Party, form a new political movement and push for quick elections. The EU hopes the move will not disrupt attempts at peace with the Palestinians. Javier Solana, the EU's foreign policy representative, told reporters that the bloc hopes to send a first contingent of 12 officers and experts later this week to a Palestinian Authority-controlled outpost to prepare for the official start of their mission Friday, when the Rafah border crossing opens. "The forces deployed to Rafah will be on time. We are going to comply with all our commitments," Solana said. In total, between 50 and 70 officers and experts will be sent as part of the mission, which will be a first for Europe in the region, boosting its presence beyond its role as top donor to the Palestinians, according to a report of the Associated Press. Israelis and Palestinians agreed to the opening of the crossing during talks last week, brokered by U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Solana.
