EU welcomes Netanyahu’s endorsement of peace proc

The European Union "welcomes" the intention of the new Israeli government to advance the peace process. The statement was released during the 27 Member States' Foreign Affairs Council Meeting; at the same time, both sides are "strongly" urged to resume direct negotiations. The EU's Foreign Ministers still express their "deep concern" about developments on the ground which threaten to make a two-state solution impossible: the marked acceleration of settlement construction , the house demolitions in East Jerusalem, the worsening living conditions of the Palestinian population in the area controlled and administered by Israel (Area C). In particular, the EU expresses deep concern regarding settler extremism in the West Bank, their violence and deliberate provocations. As the largest donor to the Palestinian Authority, the EU will continue to provide financial assistance for Palestinian development, " the EU Council states, " and expects such investment to be protected for future use." The Foreign Ministers of the 27 Member States call on other donors, especially donors in the region, "to increase their financial support" to the Palestinian Authority, whose financial issues bring about the risk of jeopardising the major achievements of the Palestinian Authority. The EU Council also expresses "concern" about recent reports of arrests of journalists and for recent incidents of incitement in Palestinian media and elsewhere.