Statement by EU High Representative Catherine Ashton on the Israeli settlement announcement of 5 February 2014

EU News 55/2014

Brussels, 06 February 2014
140206/02

The High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice President of the Commission, issued the following statement today:

"I am deeply concerned at the announcement by the Jerusalem municipal authorities of their approval of building permits for 558 new units in East Jerusalem, in Har Homa, Neve Yaakov and Pisgat Zeev.

These plans could put at risk the prospects of Jerusalem becoming the capital of two states and, in particular, the territorial contiguity between East Jerusalem and the southern West Bank.

The EU and the international community have repeatedly warned that any unilateral action prejudging the final status of Jerusalem threatens the current peace negotiations and, as a consequence, the two-state solution. Any such developments must be avoided at all costs.

Source and additional information:
http://eeas.europa.eu/statements/docs/2014/140206_02_en.pdf

• Tweet