The EU extends the mandate of the Rafah Crossing Border Security Mission and the Palestinian Police Mission until June 30, 2027

China News Service, Brussels, September 28 (Reporter Toku Yongjian) The European Union announced on the 28th that it will continue to provide security assistance to Palestine and extend the terms of the EU Rafah Port Border Defense Mission and the EU Palestine Police Mission.

The European Council said in an announcement that day that the EU decided to extend the terms of the two missions to June 30, 2027, but did not disclose how much funding would be allocated to the two missions.

The Rafah Port is located in the southern Gaza Strip of Palestine, bordering Egypt. It is an important port for residents of the Gaza Strip to connect with the outside world, and is also the main channel for international humanitarian aid supplies to be transported into the Gaza Strip. In November 2005, the EU established the Rafah Port Border Security Mission (EUBAM Rafah), whose main responsibility is to provide consulting services and technical assistance to the Palestinian immigration authorities.

The European Union Police Mission in Palestine (EUPOL COPPS) was created in January 2006. Its main responsibilities are to support the construction of the Palestinian police force and criminal justice institutions, and promote the reform of Palestinian security and judicial fields, thereby helping Palestine strengthen the rule of law and ensure public safety.

The EU Council stated in the announcement that the EU is committed to achieving a comprehensive, just and lasting peace between Palestine and Israel on the basis of the "two-state solution" (the establishment of a fully sovereign and independent Palestinian state based on the 1967 pre-war borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital). The EU is committed to the full implementation of the Gaza peace plan (proposed by the "Peace Commission" initiated by the United States) and hopes to contribute to the implementation of this plan by extending the terms of the EU Rafah Port Border Defense Mission and the EU Palestinian Police Mission. (over)