EU says Israeli-Palestinian peace deal a 'top priority'

The European Union says that the Israeli-Palestinian conflict remains a “top priority” and welcomes the US administration’s expressed interest into brokering a peace agreement.

“Peace between Israel and Palestine is a top priority for the European Union and it will remain a top priority in our political agenda. We remain committed to a negotiated two-state solution. That remains for us the only viable way to end the conflict and all claims,” the EU’s foreign policy czar Federica Mogherini says.

Addressing reporters in Brussels after a meeting with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, Mogherini reiterates the union’s principled opposition to Israeli West Bank settlements.

The EU will recognized any changes to the pre-1967 lines only after they have been agreed upon by the parties, she says. The union continues to envision Jerusalem as the “future capital of both states,” she adds. “And we support Palestinian presence in East Jerusalem, both in political and financial terms.”

Acknowledging the “changing international political environment,” Mogherini speaks optimistically about the White House’s effort to broker an Israeli-Palestinian peace deal.

“We welcome the fact that the US administration shows interest in solving the Middle East peace process and we agreed to coordinate closely positions,” she says.

High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs, Federica Mogherini, holds a press conference with the Lebanese foreign minister after their meeting in Beirut on January 26, 2017. (AFP/Joseph Eid)

Mogherini thanks Abbas for his leadership and “his commitment when it comes to nonviolence and when it comes to the difficult work he’s doing when it comes to incitement and maintaining Palestinian people, and especially the Palestinian youth, committed to peace and regional cooperation.”

Both Mogherini and Abbas are scheduled to attend the Arab League summit in Amman this week, which is expected to focus heavily on the Israeli-Palestinian issue. US President Donald Trump’s special envoy for international negotiations, Jason Greenblatt, who recently visited the region and met with key stakeholders, will participate as an observer.

— Raphael Ahren