High Representative Catherine Ashton visits Jordan, Iraq, Lebanon, Egypt, Israel and Palestine

BRUSSELS, Kingdom of Belgium, June 18, 2013/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- Catherine Ashton, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice President of the Commission, travels over the coming days to Jordan, Iraq, Lebanon, Egypt, Israel and Palestine.

On Sunday in Jordan, she had an audience with H.M. King Abdullah II, and held talks with

Jordanian Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh.

On Monday in Iraq, she met Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, Speaker of the Council of

Representatives Usama Nujaifi, Deputy Prime Minister Sharistiani, and Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari, as well as Massoud Barzani, President of the Iraqi Kurdistan Region.

On Monday and Tuesday in Lebanon, the High Representative will have discussions with President Michel Suleiman, Speaker of the Parliament Nabih Berri, caretaker Prime Minister Najib Azmi Mikati, Prime Minister-designate Tamman Salam and caretaker Foreign Minister Adnan Mansour.

Together with UN High Commissioner for Refugees Antonio Guterres, she will visit a community centre in Beirut which is helping out Syrian refugees.

On Tuesday and Wednesday in Egypt, she will meet President Mohammed Morsi, Foreign Minister Mohammed Amr as well as other senior ministers and opposition leaders. She will also discuss latest developments in the region with Nabil al-Araby, Secretary General of the League of Arab States.

On Wednesday and Thursday, the High Representative will have talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Israeli Justice Minister Tzipi Livni. She will also meet Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah. On Thursday Catherine Ashton will visit Gaza where she will meet UNRWA Commissioner General Filippo Grandi.