EU, US hammer two-state solution

BRUSSELS: The European Union and the United States on Thursday issued a new plea to speed up progress towards a two-state solution encompassing a “viable” Palestine alongside a “secure” Israel.

After meeting US Middle East envoy George Mitchell, on his way back from the region, EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton said: “We believe that urgent progress is needed towards a two-state solution that ends the occupation that began in 1967”.

There was no word on a timeline or on a unilaterel recognition of a Palestinian state. And the statement made no mention of the settlements issue.

Calling once again for negotiations, Ashton and Mitchell said in a statement it was vital for either side to take into consideration “Israel’s legitimate security concerns” and the “Palestinian’s legitimate national aspiration”.

Brussels and Washington also commended the work of the Palestinian Authority “in building the institutions of the future State of Palestine” and pledged further support for Palestinian institution-building. They were concerned about the situation in Gaza, however.

Ashton said she had reiterated to Mitchell, the EU policy “calling for the immediate, sustained and unconditional opening of crossings to allow the flow of humanitarian aid, exports and people.”

AFP