By KUNA,
Paris : France said Tuesday that it had regular contacts with it members of the international Quartet on the Middle East issue and recalled that the illegal Israeli settlement expansion was causing “deep concern” in the European Union, which participates in the Quartet alongside the United States, Russia and the UN.
France on Monday condemned an Israeli decision to build almost 900 housing units in two separate areas of Arab East Jerusalem and has consistently warned the Jewish state that settlements represent the “the biggest obstacle to peace” with the Palestinians.
Israel has ignored the international communitys criticism and has continued its policy of settlement expansion.
“The European Union is deeply concerned by the recent acceleration and growth of settlements,” Andreani said.
She further noted that the EUs General Affairs council of Foreign Ministers has recalled that “the building of settlements in the Palestinian territories, including in East Jerusalem, is illegal with regard to international law.” France will not fail to maintain consultations with its partners during the French presidency of the European Union, which begins July 1.