Press Release

On the 25th of November 2015, EU BAM Rafah celebrates its ten years anniversary. It was established in 2005 as a civilian crisis management mission operating under the European Security and Defence Policy pillar of the European Union.

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”.

Ramallah, December 3, 2014 - The European Union Border Assistance Mission for the Rafah Crossing Point, EUBAM Rafah, conducted the first high-level seminar for senior Officers from the Palestinian Authority General Administration for Borders and Crossings (GABC) to enhance their capabilities on project management.
The seminar, which was held in the West Bank city of Ramallah, took place in the context of the Mission's work with its Palestinian counterparts on maintaining their preparedness for a possible redeployment to the Rafah Crossing Point (RCP). 

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. 

The Council of the European Union decided on 3 July 2013 to extend the mandate of EU BAM Rafah (The European Union Border Assistance Mission at the Rafah Crossing Point) for a further 12 months, starting from 1 July 2013 until 30 June 2014 on the basis of its current mandate.

On 19 December 2011, the Council of the EU has adopted a decision extending the European Union Border Assistance Mission for the Rafah Crossing Point between Egypt and Gaza, until 30 June 2012, on the basis of its current mandate. The EU has consistently insisted on the need for a full implementation of the 2005 Agreement on Movement and Access. As third party mission, EUBAM Rafah is still present in order to maintain an operational capability in the region and because it is invited by the parties of the 2005 Agreements (Israel and the Palestinian Authority).

On 26 May 2011, the Council of the EU has adopted a decision extending the European Union Border Assistance Mission for the Rafah Crossing Point between Egypt and Gaza, until 31 December 2011. The decision was adopted by written procedure.

On 23 May 2011, the Council had reaffirmed, in its conclusions on Middle East Peace Process, the EU readiness to reactivate the EUBAM Rafah Mission, once political and security conditions allow, in order to ensure the EU third party role at the Rafah crossing point, as set out in the 2005 Agreement on Movement and Access.