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EU's Ashton extends mediation trip to Middle East
EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton extends Middle East visit in what appears to be a final attempt to dissuade Palestinians from their UN statehood bid
Reuters Published in Ahram Online on 14 - 09 - 2011

European Union foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton has extended her Middle East trip to hold more talks aimed at averting a Palestinian bid for statehood at the United Nations, an EU diplomat said on Wednesday.
Ashton is in the region to meet Israeli and Palestinian leaders as well as diplomats from Arab countries, as part of an intense international effort to revive peace talks.
Senior U.S. envoys are due in the Middle East as well this week, in what appears to be a last-ditch push to dissuade the Palestinians from seeking to upgrade their U.N. status this month -- a step Israel strongly opposes.
Washington has expressed concern that bringing the issue of Palestinian statehood to the United Nations would damage prospects for new peace talks aimed at creating a Palestinian state alongside Israel.
An EU diplomat, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Ashton would hold an additional meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday evening.
"She is in the Middle East trying to garner support for talks and to steer discussion towards a resolution that can garner wide international support," the diplomat said.
"She's been asked to have another meeting with (Israeli) Prime Minister Netanyahu, so there are hopes things are being taken forward," he added.

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