EU calls on Israel to stop settlements expansion

EU High Representative Catherine Ashton Friday repeated the Union's position that Israeli settlements are illegal under international law, posing as a threat to the two-state solution. "The EU has repeatedly urged the Government of Israel to immediately end all settlement activities in the West Bank, including in East Jerusalem, in line with its obligations under the Roadmap," said Michael Mann, spokesman for Ashton, in a statement. He noted that the statement was issued in the light of recent media reports about renewed plans for Israeli settlements in and around East Jerusalem. "The EU has consistently maintained that negotiations remain the best way forward for resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and it reiterates that it will not recognise any changes to the pre-1967 borders, including with regard to Jerusalem, other than those agreed by the parties, " he said. "Unilateral action by either party cannot prejudge the outcome of negotiations and will not be recognized by the international community," added Mann.