Brussels: European Union foreign
ministers will reaffirm on Monday the bloc`s readiness to
recognise a Palestinian state "when appropriate," diplomatic
sources said.
A draft statement seen by a news agency, written after tough and
lengthy negotiations that began last week, expressed regret
over Israel`s refusal to freeze settlements, describing them
as "illegal" and "an obstacle to peace".
It underlines that the EU actively supports "a
negotiated solution" between Israel and the Palestinians
"within the 12 months set by the Quartet" of international
mediators.
The draft, to be put to the bloc`s 27 foreign
ministers, also welcomes a recent World Bank assessment that
the Palestinian Authority "will be ready for statehood in the
near future."
The EU, it goes on to say, "reiterates its readiness,
when appropriate, to recognise a Palestinian state."
PTI
