Frontpage Content

On 31 October, Nataliya Apostolova, Head of Mission for EUBAM Rafah, met with a delegation of 11 Members of National Parliaments from five EU member states. The meeting focused on the mission’s mandate, current security challenges, operational activities, and its future role in the region.

On 17 October 2024, Nataliya Apostolova, Head of Mission for EUBAM Rafah, briefed the European Parliament’s Subcommittee on Security and Defence (SEDE) on the mission’s security challenges and operational activities. The briefing provided an opportunity to engage with MEPs and discuss EUBAM Rafah’s core mandate, support for the Palestinian Authority’s border management capacity, and cooperation with the General Administration for Borders and Crossings (GABC).

From 25 to 29 August 2024, border expert from EUBAM Rafah conducted a refresher training course on identity (travel) document control for 15 personnel from the Palestinian General Administration for Borders and Crossing (GABC) in Jericho, including 4 women.

The training focused on enhancing the participants' ability to detect fraudulent documents using direct observation techniques and essential tools such as loupes and UV lamps.

On June 27th 2024, 13 employees from the General Administration for Borders and Crossings (GABC) concluded the third and last session of a training course on Media and Digital Communication.

The project, held in cooperation with the Ro’ya Media Academy, included GABC staff from Media Team, International Relations, Customs and Border Police and tackled topics such as Technical Skills in Digital Media, Mobile Journalism and News Writing and Press Releases.

From 3^rd to 6^th of June, EUBAM Rafah organised a Training on Counterfeit and Dangerous Medicines in Rome, Italy in collaboration with the Italian Customs and Monopolies

On 29 May EUBAM Rafah, EUPOL COPPS and the Office of the EU Representative in Jerusalem jointly organized a visit to Jericho for European Union Heads of Missions to present the Mission’s activities and to meet main Palestinian counterparts.

On the occasion of International Women’s Day, EUBAM Rafah HoM reaffirms the Mission’s commitment to supporting the General Administration for Borders and Crossings (GABC) enhancement in the area of gender equality while managing the borders. EUBAM Rafah is dedicated to promoting equal opportunities for Palestinian women, both in general, and specifically within GABC.

On 10 January, EUBAM Rafah Head of Mission Nataliya Apostolova was in Brussels to present the Mission’s Six Monthly Report to the European Council Committee for the Civilian Aspects of Crisis Management (CivCom). She also met representatives of EU Member States and the European External Action Service to present the Mission’s current activities and efforts and to discuss the way forward, including potential ‘day after’ scenarios for the Mission. EU Member States expressed full support for the Mission’s work, whilst looking ahead to future possibilities.

Last week, a delegation of the European Parliament Subcommittee on Security and Defence (SEDE) met with EUBAM Rafah and our counterpart, the General Administration for Borders and Crossings (GABC) during a visit to the region.

Last week, EUBAM Rafah Head of Mission Nataliya Apostolova, together with the Mission staff currently in the in the area of operation, had the honor to meet EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice-President of the European Commission, Josep Borrell, during his tour of the Middle East and the Gulf.