Brussels, 28/10/2004 (Agence Europe) - On Wednesday, EU Council President Bernard Bot welcomed the Knesset's approval the day before of the Gaza withdrawal plan set out by Prime Minister Sharon (see yesterday's EUROPE, p.6, on the subject of Javier Solana's declaration). In his statement, the Dutch Foreign Minister describes the vote as a considerable move forward toward a peaceful settlement of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, but only if withdrawal is carried out in compliance with the five elements specified by the EU during the European Council in March this year. These elements are, he recalls, that withdrawal must be in accord with the Road Map, it must be a step toward finding a solution aimed at coexistence of both States, it must not involve any transfer of colonisation activity in the West Bank, organised transfer negotiated by those responsible must be operated in favour of the Palestinian Authority, and Israel must facilitate rehabilitation and rebuilding in Gaza. Mr Bot stresses that the EU is committed in favour of a two-State solution agreed by the parties concerned and resulting in the creation of a viable, contiguous, independent and sovereign Palestinian State existing at the same time alongside Israel, with safe and recognised frontiers.