EU reiterates call on Israel to stop Jewish settlement activities

The European Union Friday repeated its position that Jewish settlements on occupied Palestinian territories are illegal under international law, an obstacle to the peace process and threaten to make the two-state solution impossible. "EU High Representative Catherine Ashton has also called on Israel to stop all the settlement activities," her spokesperson, Maja Kocijancic told journalists in Brussels. "This is a position which has also been confirmed by the EU Foreign Affairs Council and has been conveyed to the Israeli authorities through all diplomatic channels on regular basis," she noted. Kocijancic was commenting on reports which said that the Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman earlier today summoned the ambassadors of France, Italy, Spain and the UK, and expressed his displeasure at what he claimed where the EU states' "one-sided stance against Israel and in favour of the Palestinians." The spokesperson said that currently there is a "very serious initiative going on to move the peace talks forward led by US Secretary of State John Kerry with the full support of the EU." "We believe these peace talks represent an unique opportunity for both sides in this conflict. We as the EU are ready to provide full support for the agreement through particular initiatives," she added.