Brussels, 16/12/2010 (Agence Europe) - Arab foreign ministers meeting in Cairo on 15 December to discuss the situation in the Middle East noted with pleasure the EU statement of 13 December (see EUROPE 10277) in which it stated explicitly that the Israeli settlement-building policy, “including in East Jerusalem”, is “illegal and counter-productive”. The Arab ministerial follow-up committee, however, has called on the EU to implement the principles affirmed. The committee has called for the Quartet to act more decisively against any infringement of the principles and international law, and it would like a joint (Quartet-Arab ministerial follow-up committee) meeting at which more detailed assessment of the situation could take place, with the conclusions being submitted to the United Nations Security Council. It would then be for the Security Council to draft a framework with which Israel would have to comply. A call was sent to the United States to state as clearly as the EU the extent of the future Palestinian state for which the Arab countries have appealed for international recognition. The United States is also asked to pledge not to hinder diplomatic efforts and not to use its veto in the UN Security Council. As things stand, “in light of the failure of American efforts, the Arab Ministerial Council states that now is the time to continue negotiations with Israel”. (F.B./transl.rt)