The European Union (EU) on Monday demanded Israel further open border crossings to ensure humanitarian access to the Gaza Strip, and repeated calls for a durable and permanent ceasefire in the area.

"For the moment, what is the most important issue in the Gaza Strip is humanitarian access," European Commissioner for External Relations Benita Ferrero-Waldner told a press conference following the first day talks of the EU foreign ministers in Brussels. "But we are somehow disappointed that the opening of the crossings for humanitarian aid has not always been completely fulfilled."

European Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid Louis Michel is currently in Gaza on a two-day humanitarian mission, during which he will also travel to Israel. Waldner said that the EU would assess what it could do more in Gaza after Michel returns.

Earlier on Monday, Michel announced in Gaza a further 58 million euros (about US$78 million) in humanitarian aid to Palestinians, with 32 million euros going to the suffering population in the Gaza Strip.

Meanwhile, Waldner called for a "durable" ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, adding that EU High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy Javier Solana is in the Mideast on this purpose.

She also expressed the EU's full backing to reconciliation efforts initiated by Egypt aiming for a lasting ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, and for solidarity among the Palestinian factions.

In conclusions adopted earlier Monday, the EU foreign ministers stressed the three issues should be addressed "without any delay": a sustained halt of rocket launches towards Israel, the urgent opening of the Gaza crossings on a regular and predictable basis and an effective mechanism to prevent arms and ammunition smuggling to the Gaza Strip.

The ministers said the EU, in close coordination with Egypt and other partners, is examining options and intends to support the sustainability of the ceasefire including through assistance on border management. They also expressed the EU's readiness to reactivate the EU Border Assistance Mission (EUBAM Rafah), as soon as conditions allow, and to examine the possibility of extending its assistance to other crossing points as part of the overall EU engagement in the region.

The ministers called for the "unimpeded provision and distribution" of humanitarian assistance to the suffering people of Gaza, pledging that the EU is ready to step up its already substantial emergency aid contribution and will continue to strongly support the United Nations Relief and Works Agency and other international agencies in their efforts.

They expressed their support for the idea of convening an international donors' conference in Egypt.

Meanwhile, the ministers urged inter-Palestinian reconciliation behind President Mahmoud Abbas, which "is key for peace, stability, and development and supports the mediation efforts of Egypt and the Arab League in this respect."

The ministers reiterated the EU's commitment to work vigorously with the other Quartet members and Arab partners to contribute to the "urgent and successful conclusion" of the Israeli-Palestinian peace process, adding that the EU looks forward to a strong and committed participation and cooperation of the new US administration.

(Xinhua News Agency January 27, 2009)