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EU says Israel must abandon West Bank annexation plan to give peace chance

BRUSSELS, Nov 24 (KUNA) -- The European Union (EU) Tuesday stressed that Israel must abandon its annexation Plan of West Bank and accept a two-state solution for peace and stability to prevail in the region.
Speaking at the European Parliament in Brussels today, EU High Representative Josep Borrell referred to the recent agreements between Israel and the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Sudan and said "but the agreements themselves do not address the Israeli-Palestinian conflict." "The Israeli annexation plans still need to be abandoned, not suspended temporarily. Abandoned altogether" stressed the EU foreign policy chief.
"As we have always said, there will not be sustainable peace and stability in the region without a comprehensive settlement of the Arab-Israeli conflict and, in particular, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, on the basis of a negotiated and viable two-state solution, built upon the internationally agreed parameters," said Borrell.
"Last week, we saw the positive news that the Palestinian Authority will resume economic and security cooperation with Israel. We had actively encouraged this as European Union. But, at the same time, the situation on the ground remains very worrying, notably due to continued advancements of illegal settlements construction and a significant spike in demolitions," he said.
Borrell said the recent decision by Israel to open tenders to build a new settlement in Givat Hamatos - the first new settlement in occupied East Jerusalem in twenty years - is of huge concern.
"Yesterday, in my phone call with Minister (of Foreign Affairs of Israel, Gabi) Ashkenazi, I expressed this concern and our condemnation of this initiative," he added. (end) nk.mt