Brussels, 23/11/2010 (Agence Europe) - EU foreign ministers restated, on 22 November, their support for efforts made by the United States to reactivate direct talks between Israelis and Palestinians with a view to a peace agreement based on a two-state solution. Meeting in Council under the chairmanship of Catherine Ashton, ministers also expressed “concern” regarding the continuing settlement activities, especially in East Jerusalem. Such settlement activity is “illegal” under international law and is “an obstacle to peace and threatens to make a two-state solution impossible”, the EU27 stressed. Ministers also said they were concerned about the situation in Gaza. It is important for all Gaza crossings to be opened so that economic activity may resume (with exports being allowed out of Gaza), Catherine Ashton stressed, addressing the press after the Council. (H.B./transl.jl)