BICOM

The US State Department yesterday outlined plans for incoming Secretary of State John Kerry to visit Europe and the Middle East at the end of the month. The trip will not include a visit to Israel or the Palestinian territories, with Kerry set to accompany President Obama on his visit to the region next month, by which time the State Department anticipates that a new Israeli government will be in place.

State Department spokeswoman, Victoria Nuland announced an intense itinerary for Kerry, who will visit Britain, Germany, France, Italy, Turkey, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates and Qatar between 24 February and 6 March. Nuland described the trip as primarily a “listening tour” with a variety of issues on the agenda, including the conflict in Syria.

However, Nuland confirmed that instead of visiting Israel and the Palestinian territories on this trip, Kerry will instead “be travelling there with the President when he visits later in the spring.” President Obama is scheduled to visit the region in late March. Nuland said that the timing was influenced by “a sense that the Israelis are still working on their coalition.” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is currently attempting to construct a coalition government following last month’s election with the process possibly taking several more weeks.

Since taking up his new position, Kerry has already met with senior Israeli and Palestinian officials, mainly in connection with President Obama’s upcoming visit. Netanyahu’s chief negotiator Yitzhak Molcho returned from talks in Washington last week, while National Security Advisor Yaakov Amidror is expected to travel to the United States for further discussions this week. Nuland confirmed yesterday that senior Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat will meet with Kerry for “consultations very much in keeping with the planning for the President’s trip.”