The re-opening of Gaza crossing points can happen through a new EU-sponsored power that “would take responsibility and establish a strong, real and effective force to stop smuggling” Israel foreign minister has alleged today after yesterday’s meeting with EU foreign relations chief Catherine Ashton, but once more without firm guarantees.

The Palestinian delegation to the United Nations should submit on next week to the Security Council a proposed resolution reproving Israeli settlements, to intensify international pressure on Israel.

The "Close co-operation between Israel and the EU can end the smuggling and terror against Israel, removal of the siege and even the release of Gilad Shalit," Lieberman’s press release said, without referring the suffering and terror lived inside Gaza.

A member of Ashton delegation told EUobserver that it is "difficult" to see how the security force idea fits in with the EU's current offer, however. "We have offered a three-pronged approach: help with infrastructure, equipment and training of Palestinian officials on the border, to help revive Gaza's economy and make sure we meet Israeli security concerns".

According to the same source, the union wants to reopen the Kerem Shalom crossing point on the Egypt-Gaza-Israel border, but Hamas would prefer to reopen the Rafah crossing on the Egypt-Gaza border.

The Ashton delegation is meeting with Palestinian leaders in the West Bank today.

A Daily Mail report revealed today that Ashton was considered the worst of all 27 commissioners as she failed to fully attend two thirds of European Commission meetings in the last 12 months. The 272,000 euros-per-year European Union foreign minister's has apparently asked to be allowed to attend the meetings via video conference when she was abroad, but the request was turned down on the basis that other commissioners may start to do the same thing.