EU Criticises Jerusalem Office After Israel Complaint
BRUSSELS (AFP)--The European Commission criticised Wednesday one of its
offices in Jerusalem after Israel protested to the European Union about critical
commission statements on Jewish settlements in the West Bank.
"This press release that was issued by the technical office of the commission
doesn't use wording that reflects the views of the European Commission or
Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner," her spokeswoman said.
"The position is very clear about this and we have restated it at several
occasions.
"Of course we are concerned about the negative effect that settlement policy
has on the economic life of Palestinians, however the wording chosen in that
statement does take it out of context," she said.
"In our view the reality is much more complex."
Israel's foreign ministry summoned the head of the E.U. delegation, Ramiro
Cibrian Uzal, after the commission office said settlements were "strangling the
Palestinian economy" and perpetuating Palestinian dependence on donors.
The foreign ministry blasted the E.U. report as unfounded.
The issue of Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, which the
international community considers illegal, is one of the main stumbling blocks
in the stalled Middle East peace process.
The E.U. is the biggest aid donor to the Palestinians.
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
07-08-091240ET
Copyright (c) 2009 Dow Jones & Company, Inc.
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