Palestinian 13: What happens next?

The men emerged Friday after a five-week siege

LONDON, England (CNN) -- The 13 Palestinians branded by Israel as "senior terrorists" walked out of Bethlehem's Church of the Nativity on Friday after a five-week siege.

The men arrived in Cyprus Friday afternoon, as part of the agreement to end the standoff. The men will eventually be deported to countries in the European Union.

Where the 13 militants would go into exile has been a key sticking point in efforts to end the impasse at the church. Earlier efforts to end the standoff stalled when Italy refused a request to accept all of the men. CNN's European Political editor Robin Oakley spoke to CNN International Anchor Shihab Rattansi about what happens now.

Rattansi: Where are the 13 likely to be sent and under what status?

CNN NewsPass VIDEO As Israel exiles 13 Palestinians to Cyprus, European leaders face questions over their ultimate placement and status. CNN's Chris Burns reports (May 10) Play video

Oakley: The EU has a few knots to tie up on this one. We are not expecting any final decision on the 13, described by the Israel Defense Forces as "senior terrorists" until after an EU foreign ministers' meeting in Luxembourg on Monday.

We are expecting certainly Italy to be one of the interested countries. It was originally expected to take all 13 but Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi turned them down.

The EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana spent some time in Spain on Thursday which is perhaps some clue and spoke with the Greek foreign ministry, so Greece is also expected to take a few. A final decision is not to be taken until Monday's meeting though.

Rattansi: Does the EU role signify an increased importance in Mideast affairs?

Oakley: There have certainly been very fraught negotiations. Solana has been involved in intense diplomacy. EU countries have mixed feelings. They want to be seen to be doing something to help resolve the Bethlehem Church of the Nativity siege and are keen for the EU to be seen having more of a role in peace talks. But they know that countries do not want men who are labelled as terrorists, even if they are not.

The EU is certainly keen to take a bigger role in the Mideast. It has been frustrated at being brushed aside by Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon during one or two recent trips by delegations to the region. The EU wants to demonstrate it is a super power rather than a super state.

It also has some status -- it is the biggest market and provider of funds to the Palestinian Authority and has some clout which members hope can contribute to the peace process.

Rattansi: The list of EU member states willing to take in the 13 has constantly changed -- why is this?

Oakley: There are tensions. But there are also difficulties to determine under what precise legal status the prisoners will be held and the vexed question of how long they will stay and where they will go afterwards.