World Jewish News

EU and US 'firmly committed to working in concert' to make progress towards Israeli-Palestinian peace

EU’s foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton said Thursday that the EU and the US "are firmly committed to working in concert to make progress towards Israeli-Palestinian peace and the establishment of a contiguous, viable and sovereign state of Palestine alongside a secure state of Israel."
She made the statement after meeting in Brussels with U.S.. Middle East envoy George Mitchell who has just returned from talks in the region on the latest developments in the peace process.
Ashton was later due to travel to Paris for talks with French Foreign Minister Michele Alliot-Marie on the same topic.
"We believe that urgent progress is needed towards a two state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict that ends the occupation that began in 1967," Ashton said after meeting Micthell.
She added,"We recognize that our common goals for peace and security in the Middle East should be achieved through negotiations and with the support of the international community."
"The U.S. and the EU have recommended immediate engagement by the parties with the U.S. on the core issues of the conflict,” she said.
"In those discussions, the parties must take into consideration Israel's legitimate security concerns and the Palestinian's legitimate national aspirations. The U.S. and the EU reiterate their call for the immediate and unconditional release of Gilad Shalit,” Ashton’s statement said.
She also called on Israel to open crossings to the Gaza Strip
"I reiterated to Senator Mitchell the EU policy calling for the immediate, sustained and unconditional opening of crossings to allow the flow of humanitarian aid, exports and people.”
She said the EU "appreciates the Israeli government’s recent decision to ease the Gaza closure."
"We encourage a swift implementation and further efforts and complimentary measures in order to achieve a fundamental change of policy that allows for the reconstruction and economic recovery of Gaza," Ashton added.
Israel and Egypt imposed a strict blockade on Gaza after the Hamas Islamic group seized control from troops loyal to President Mahmud Abbas in 2007 and the abduction of Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit.
Meanwhile, the Palestinians have asked Europe to recognize a state.
Palestinian negotiator Nabil Shaath said Thursday he asked representatives of several EU countries to recognize the truce lines before the 1967 Mideast war as the borders between Israel and a Palestinian state.
Brazil and Argentina have recently recognized such a state while several European countries have upgraded diplomatic relations with the Palestinians.
But the United States and the European Union have not recognized an independent Palestinian state, saying peace can only be reached through negotiations.
Earlier this week, EU Foreign Ministers said they would recognize a Palestinian state "when appropriate," emphasizing the need for a negotiated settlement. The latest round of peace talks, launched in early September, broke down just three weeks later after a limited Israeli moratorium on settlement construction expired.

by: Yossi Lempkowicz

EJP