EU foreign policy chief Mr Javier Solana and Middle East envoy Mr Miguel Angel Moratinos are to leave for Ramallah this evening to meet Mr Yasser Arafat.
Mr Moratinos said Israel, which had prevented EU officials from meeting the besieged Mr Arafat in his ruined West Bank headquarters in Ramallah, had given the go-ahead for the trip.
An Israeli government official in Jerusalem said it appeared likely EU officials would meet Mr Arafat on this visit, noting that "circumstances prevented" a similar meeting from going ahead earlier this month.
"To the best of my understanding, it will be possible this time, but I would not like to confirm it officially," said foreign ministry spokesman Mr Emmanuel Nachshon.
In Valencia, Mr Moratinos said the EU team hoped to direct their efforts towards two issues: the three-week standoff at the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem and the situation in Ramallah.
AFP