Brussels, 24/03/2014 (Agence Europe) - On Friday 21 March, High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton again encouraged the Israeli authorities to reconsider their plans and to go back on their decision to extend the settlements.
Ashton said she was “deeply disappointed” by the Israeli plans to build over 2,300 housing units - plans that were approved by the Israeli Ministry of Defence on 20 March for six settlements in the West Bank.
“Any unilateral action prejudging final status issues threatens the current peace negotiations and, as a consequence, the two-state solution”, said Ashton, reiterating a position that has been “repeatedly stressed by the international community”. With the current peace talks representing “a unique opportunity for both Israelis and Palestinians”, Ashton stated that “such a historic opportunity should not be squandered”. The EU's foreign affairs ministers unanimously warned against actions that undermine the current negotiations and they deplored Israel's continuous expansion of settlements, Ashton also stated. (CG)