EU reiterates commitment to ME peace

(MENAFN- Kuwait News Agency (KUNA)) European Union (EU) foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini on Wednesday reaffirmed dedication to peace in the Middle East and a viable Palestinian state.

After a meeting with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in Ramallah, Mogherini told reporters that the EU is committed to seeking fresh conditions to renew peace talks, in cooperation with partners, US, Russia and the UN.

For his part, Abbas reaffirmed Palestinians' commitment to peace, according to chief negotiator Saeb Erekat.

In order to renew a meaningful peace process, the Israelis have to stop building settlements, set free the pre-Oslo forth batch of Palestinians detainees, and accept the two-state solution, Erekat quoted Abbas as saying.

Palestinians are making persistent efforts to maintain the two-state choice at the time when the Israelis opted for a policy of settlements, dictations and detentions, he said.

Mogherini's aim is to discuss bilateral relations "as well as prospects for the Middle East peace process," her office said ahead of the trip.

Later on Wednesday, the EU senior official is due in Jerusalem for talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, then she will meet President Reuven Rivlin and opposition leader Isaac Herzog on Thursday.