Statement by EU High Representative Catherine Ashton on the Peace Process

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Delegation of the European Union to the United States

Dec 08, 2010, 05:26 ET

WASHINGTON, Dec. 8, 2010 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Catherine Ashton, the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission, made the following statement:

"I note with regret that Israel has not been in a position to accept an extension of the moratorium as requested by the US, the EU and the Quartet. The EU position on settlements is clear: they are illegal under international law and an obstacle to peace. Recent settlement related developments, including in East Jerusalem, contradict the efforts by the international community for successful negotiations.

"We must spare no effort to get negotiations back on track on all final status issues. There is no alternative to a negotiated two state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. I am in close contact with the US, in coordination within the Quartet, and working with the parties and partners in the region to continue to work towards the objective of a negotiated peace."

SOURCE Delegation of the European Union to the United States