LOC13:36
10:36 GMT
BRUSSELS, Oct 22 (KUNA) -- European Union's High Representative for Foreign
Affairs and Security Policy, Catherine Ashton, is in Jordan Monday for the
first leg of a five-day visit to the Middle East.
A statement from her office here today said she she will meet with King
Abdullah II and Jordanian Foreign Minister Judeh in Amman later Mondayand
also visit the Zaatary Refugee camp and meet with refugees from the crisis in
Syria.
Ashton will meet Lebanese leaders in Beirut on Tuesday.
In Jerusalem, she will meet Israeli President Peres, Prime Minister
Netanyahu and Minister of Defence Barak, before meeting Palestinian Prime
Minister Fayyad. She will meet Palestinian President Abbas on Thursday.
"This is a critical time for the wider Middle East. The close cooperation
between the European Union and our partners in the region is essential to help
us deal with the political, strategic and humanitarian challenges we face at
this time," she said in press statements before her departure.
"The objective of this trip is to take this cooperation forward as
effectively as possible," added the EU foreign policy chief. (end)
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KUNA 221336 Oct 12NNNN