EU: More engagement needed for solution in Jerusalem

By Serife Cetin and Yusuf Hatip

BRUSSELS

The European Union's foreign policy chief on Monday said Palestinians and Israelis need to show more engagement with the international community for “a negotiated outcome”.

Speaking at a joint press conference with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, Federica Mogherini reiterated the EU’s commitment to a two-state solution, with Jerusalem as the shared capital of both states -- the State of Israel, and the State of Palestine.

“This is and remains the EU position, based on the Oslo accords and the international consensus embodied in the relevant UN Security Council resolutions. It is also, we believe, the only realistic and viable way to fulfill the legitimate aspirations of both parties,” she said.

Mogherini urged Israel and Palestine to come together for a “negotiated outcome”.

“This is not the time to disengage; on the contrary. We believe Palestinians and Israelis need to show more than ever before their engagement with the international community, with key actors in this process, so that we can together work towards a negotiated outcome.”

Mogherini also looked ahead to a Jan. 31 extraordinary of the international donor group for Palestine in Brussels -- the Ad Hoc Liaison Committee -- with the participation of Norway.

“This will be an opportunity to bring the parties and all other relevant actors together,” she said.

'EU should recognize Palestinian state'

For his part, Abbas called on the EU to recognize the Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital, saying that this will not cripple the peace process.

Recognition of Palestine will give the Palestinian people hope of political steps to establish their state, he argued.

“Obstacles occur here and there, but this will not make us relinquish our belief that the only path for peace is negotiations with international participation and supervision,” Abbas said.

Abbas also stressed his commitment to agreements signed with Israel and called on Israel to make this reciprocal.

Abbas arrived in Brussels on Sunday for a three-day visit in which he is expected to meet a number of foreign ministers of EU member states.