Brussels, 22/06/2011 (Agence Europe) - European Union leaders have urged parties in the Middle East conflict not to take any unilateral action that could damage peace moves, as the Palestinians consider seeking UN support for an independent state. In conclusions from their talks in Brussels on Friday 24 June, the leaders said that only a return to long-stalled peace negotiations could lead to a lasting resolution of the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians. “The European Council calls on all parties to abstain from unilateral actions that are not conducive to a comprehensive solution”, the leaders said. The EU's 27 member nations are divided over whether to support the Palestinians in their efforts to win backing for an independent state at the United Nations in September. It is the first time that the EU as a whole has taken a united position, albeit a vague one, on the move. “We don't want to discourage them in their aspirations”, one diplomat said, but he added that the statement was a “flag for them to proceed with caution”. It remains unclear exactly what the Palestinians will seek in any UN resolution, or indeed if they will apply for UN membership. Israel and the United States are vehemently opposed to any outright recognition of a Palestinian state. (LoC)