EU welcomes Gaza ceasefire

The European Union (EU) tonight welcomed "wholeheartedly" the cease-fire that has been proclaimed in Gaza. "It is now crucial to ensure its implementation and to prevent the restart of violence. The events of the last days stress the urgent need to move towards a two-state solution allowing both sides to live side-by-side in peace and security," said the President of the European Council Herman van Romuy and the Presidernt of the European Commission Jose Manuel Barroso in a joint statement. The European Union, they said, remains determined to continue working to assist in achieving this goal. The two EU leaders reiterated their deep sorrow for the loss of lives on both sides resulting from this outbreak of violence.