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17:52 GMT
BRUSSELS, Dec 13 (KUNA) -- The European Union reiterated here Monday its
readiness to recognize an independent Palestinian state.
"The EU commends the work of the Palestinian Authority in building the
institutions of the future State of Palestine and reiterates its full support
for their endeavours in this regard and the (Palestine Prime Minister Salam)
Fayyad plan," said the EU Foreign Affairs Council after discussing the
situation in Palestine here this evening.
Recalling the Berlin Declaration, the Council "reiterates its readiness,
when appropriate, to recognize a Palestinian state," it said in a statement.
The EU's Berlin Declaration of 1999 included an explicit commitment to the
creation of a Palestinian state.
"We welcome the World Bank's assessment that if the Palestinian Authority
maintains its current performance in institution building and delivery of
public services, it is well positioned for the establishment of a State at any
point in the near future", said the foreign ministers of the 27-member bloc.
The EU believes, noted the statement, "that urgent progress is needed
towards a two state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict."
"We want to see the State of Israel and a sovereign, independent,
democratic, contiguous and viable State of Palestine living side by side in
peace and security."
"The legitimacy of the State of Israel and the right of Palestinians to
achieve statehood must never be called into question," it stressed.
The EU statement noted "with regret that Israel has not extended the
moratorium as requested by the EU, the US and the Quartet.
"Our views on settlements, including in East Jerusalem, are clear: they are
illegal under international law and an obstacle to peace. We reiterate our
views on the status of Jerusalem and repeat our call for all parties to
refrain from provocative unilateral actions and violence," it added. (end)
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