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On Wednesday 15 July, Natalina Cea, the new Head of EUBAM Rafah Mission visited the Gaza Strip for the first time after her appointment. The purpose of this visit was to receive first-hand information on the situation on the ground and to establish contacts with the international organizations present in the Gaza Strip. She met with Ayman Fteiha, Manager of the EU Representative Office, with Basil Nasser, Deputy Head of Mission of UNDP, Jan Nadolski, Field Security Officer Gaza City together with Timothy der Weduwen, Chief Security Adviser Jerusalem.

Bulgarian diplomat Nataliya Apostolova has been appointed as Head of the European Union Border Assistance Mission for the Rafah Crossing Point (EUBAM Rafah) by the European Council and assumed office on 1 November 2023.

She has served over 25 years both in her national diplomatic administration and in the European External Action Service (EEAS).

Just before joining EUBAM Rafah, she concluded her three-year tenure as Head of Mission of EUPOL COPPS, the other EU CSDP Mission based and operational in the Palestinian Territories.

Jericho, June 17, 2015 - The European Union Border Assistance Mission for the Rafah Crossing Point (EUBAM-Rafah) and Palestinian counterparts held a closing ceremony to mark the end of a lengthy training programme on the preparedness of the PA to resume its control of the Rafah Crossing point. Guy Rolin, the Acting Head of EUBAM-Rafah praised the dedication of the participants and thanked all parties who have contributed to the success of the programme. He said the new Head of Mission, due to assume responsibilities in July, will continue the second part of the programme.

On Thursday 2 July, 2015, the Council has extended the mandate of the EU border assistance mission for the Rafah crossing point (EU BAM Rafah) until 30 June 2016. Read more : http://www.consilium.europa.eu/press-releases-pdf/2015/7/40802200244_en.pdf”.

From 8 to 13 February, EUBAM Rafah organized a study trip in Hungary for ten senior officials from the Palestinian General Administration of Borders and Crossings GABC. The objective is to provide theoretical knowledge and practical experience about the Integrated Border Management (IBM) system according to the Schengen border catalogue and international standards.

On Monday 14 December EUBAM Rafah received an official delegation from the Hungarian National Police consisting of Mr. Ferenc HORPACSI DR. (Police Colonel), Head of Education Management and Training General Department of the Hungarian National Police HQ, and Mr. Tamas FEKETE (Police Lt. Col.), Liaison Officer, from the National Police HQ. The Hungarian delegation was briefed by EUBAM Acting HoM, Mr. Guy Rolin, about the Mission’s activities.

 On Friday November 07, 2014 the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Mrs. Federica Mogherini visited EUBAM Rafah in its Headquarters in Tel Aviv. After introducing the EUBAM Rafah staff and the support team from EUBAM Libya, the Acting Head of Mission Guy Rolin briefed the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy about the Mission and its mandate hereby discussing the Mission’s  operational plan and its activity, especially the recent launch of the PA Preparedness Project, done with the support of EUPOL COPPS”

Brussels, The Council of the European Union recently prolonged the mandate of the EU Border Assistance Mission for the Rafah crossing point (EU BAM Rafah), starting from 1 July 2014 until 30 June 2015. 

A delegation of EUBAM Rafah including its Head of Mission, Gerhard Schlaudraff, participated on Saturday in Brussels in the celebrations of Europe Day which was organised by the European External Action Service. 

Senior members of European Union Border Assistance Mission For the Rafah Crossing Point (EUBAM RAFAH) and nine managers from the Palestinian General Administration of Borders and Crossings (GABC) concluded a study trip to Romania to view facilities and procedures for managing borders and crossings.