Gerhard Schlaudraff was appointed on 9 July 2013 Head of Mission for the EU Border assistance mission for the Rafah crossing point (EUBAM Rafah). The decision was taken by the EU Political and Security Committee. He succeeds Colonel Francesco Bruzzese del Pozzo, who had been Head of Mission since 1 October 2012.
Mr. Schlaudraff, a senior German diplomat, was previously Political Advisor to the EU Special Representative for the Middle East Peace Process (EUSR). His mandate will run until 30 June 2014. EUBAM Rafah was established in November 2005 to monitor the Rafah border crossing point, as set out in the Agreement on Movement and Access between Israel and the Palestinian Authority. The Rafah crossing point was last opened with the presence of EUBAM Rafah on 9 June 2007.
The EU stands ready to reactivate EUBAM Rafah, once political and security conditions allow, in order to ensure the EU third party role at the Rafah crossing point. EUBAM Rafah will continue to ensure the mission's readiness to return to the Rafah Crossing Point at short notice, and liaise with the parties on a regular basis.
