in her first interviews as the European Union's new high representative for foreign relations and security policy, Federica Mogherini has said that she hoped to see the establishment of a Palestinian state during her tenure.

"I'd be happy if, during my mandate, the Palestinian state existed," she said.

The former Italian foreign minister added that much of her focus would be on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict: "There is an entire generation growing up with the Palestinian issue. I mean, I'm 41, I studied politics at 16 and this was the main campaign when I was at school."

She warned that while the EU was the biggest donor to the Palestinian Authority, there would be "frustration with European taxpayers, especially in an economic crisis" if that did not translate into more influence on the peace process.

Despite Ms Mogherini's obvious determination to take an activist approach to the conflict, the Israeli government is cautiously optimistic about her appointment.

She pleasantly surprised Israeli officials when she arrived in Jerusalem at the height of the Gaza conflict in July and expressed steadfast support for Israel. The fact that she was the choice of Prime Minister Matteo Renzi, who has generally been very friendly to Israel, has allayed some concerns.

She will make her first trip outside Europe to the Middle East, including Israel, this weekend.

Ms Mogherini was initially viewed with some suspicion due to her Communist past and the fact that her personal website included a photograph of her with Yasser Arafat in 2002, which has since been removed.

There is also some lingering caution over previous statements in which she seemed to be "soft" on Russia and Iran, although in recent months she has taken tougher positions.

The main question is how she will deal with growing calls in some European capitals to "punish" Israel for building in the settlements. In the interviews to the European press this week, she seemed to be allaying Israeli fears when she said that Sweden's recent unilateral recognition of a Palestinian was not a template for the EU.

The main sentiment in Jerusalem is relief at the departure of previous high representative Baroness Catherine Ashton, who was generally seen as being unfriendly to Israel. Baroness Ashton will continue to lead the nuclear talks with Iran.