Brussels, 22/02/2010 (Agence Europe) - On Monday 22 February, EU foreign ministers adopted a statement in which they “strongly condemn the fact that those involved in this action have used fraudulent EU member states' passports and credit cards acquired through the theft of EU citizens' identities” by the commando that assassinated a Hamas official in Dubai. The killing of Mahmoud al-Mabhouh, on 20 January this year, raises a number of “profoundly disturbing” concerns, the EU27 say in a statement read to the press by European High Representative for Foreign Affairs Catherine Ashton. “This was an action which cannot be conducive to peace and stability in the Middle East”, she added, without however at any time saying that Israel was responsible. The authorities of Dubai, however, are convinced the assassination was the work of the secret service of the Hebrew state, the Mossad. On the Israeli side, the authorities deny all responsibility for the assassination of the Hamas members. In its statement, the EU welcomes the fact that an investigation is to be launched by the Dubai authorities and calls on “all countries” to cooperate. According to the police in Dubai, those responsible for the killing were carrying British, Irish, French and German passports. Greatly displeased, the European countries concerned have decided to carry out an investigation into the fraudulent use of EU passports. Ashton said one could not say exactly what had taken place, that evidence must be gathered and that a decision must be taken in the light of such evidence. In their statement, EU ministers also state their confidence in the integrity of EU member states' passports, saying they believe EU passports are among the most secure in the world. Catherine Ashton, Spanish Foreign Minister Miguel Angel Moratinos and European Parliament President Jerzy Buzek were to discuss matters on Monday with Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman, during his visit to Brussels. (B.C./transl.jl)