BRUSSELS (WJC)–The European Union will not recognize Palestinian statehood until an “appropriate” time, the 27 EU foreign ministers meeting in Brussels said in a joint statement. It came in response to a letter from Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat to EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton, in which he had urged the EU countries to join others that already officially recognize a Palestinian state. Argentina and Brazil gave their backing to the unilateral declaration of a state of Palestine two weeks ago.
“The EU commends the work of the Palestinian Authority in building the institutions of the future State of Palestine and reiterates its full support for their endeavors in this regard and the Fayyad plan,” the EU foreign ministers said in a resolution adopted at their meeting.
“[The EU Council of Ministers] reiterates its readiness, when appropriate, to recognize a Palestinian state,” it added, saying that “urgent progress is needed towards a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.”
*
Preceding provided by World Jewish Congress
In their statement, the ministers expressed disappointment that Israel had not extended its moratorium on settlement building. They reiterated: “Our views on settlements, including in East Jerusalem, are clear: they are illegal under international law and an obstacle to peace.”