by EU High Representative Catherine Ashton on
the Israeli settlement announcement of 5 February 2014
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.
I urge the Israeli authorities to reconsider their plans and to reverse their decision."
Document Type: Press Release, Statement
Document Sources: European Union (EU)
Country: Israel
Subject: Peace process, Peace proposals and efforts, Settlements, Statehood-related
Publication Date: 06/02/2014