(MENAFN- Jordan News Agency) London Jan.19 (Petra)--The European Union’s Foreign Affairs Council which is comprised of 28 EU foreign ministers late Monday issued a resolution calling for a multilateral solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
"Recalling that settlements are illegal under international law constitute an obstacle to peace and threaten to make a two-state solution impossible the EU reiterates its strong opposition to Israel’s settlement policy and actions taken in this context such as building the separation barrier beyond the 1967 line demolitions and confiscation – including of EU funded projects – evictions forced transfers including of Bedouin illegal outposts and restrictions of movement and access" the resolution read.
"It urges Israel to end all settlement activities and to dismantle the outposts erected since March 2001 in line with prior obligations. Settlement activities in east Jerusalem seriously jeopardizes the possibility of Jerusalem serving as the future capital of both states" it read much of which appeared in last year’s paper.
Recalling the "spirit" of the 1991 Madrid Peace Conference the European ministers called for "the establishment of an International Support Group and a further international conference are both possible ways to contribute".
The statement expressed the EU's deep concern at continuing violence holding both sides to account for their actions.
"The EU firmly condemns the terror attacks and violence from all sides and in any circumstances including the death of children" it said adding that the "EU is convinced that only the reestablishment of a political horizon and the resumption of dialogue can stop the violence." The 28-nation bloc renewed its commitment to a two-state solution and said it would closely monitor developments on the ground which undermine that outcome.
The statement had been expected to be passed without discussion but differences emerged over the weekend notably on the consequences of an EU decision to label products from Israeli settlements in the occupied territories as "Made in Israel." "The EU and its member States are committed to ensure continued full and effective implementation of existing EU legislation and bilateral arrangements applicable to settlements products" it said.
Ministers also agreed that the EU would ensure that all agreements with Israel should "unequivocally and explicitly" state that they did not apply to the occupied territories.
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