EU, Russia say new settlements are 'obstacle to peace'

(BRUSSELS) - European Union foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Friday issued a rare and strong joint condemnation of Israeli plans to massively expand settlements.

A statement released during an EU-Russia summit said the two sides were "deeply dismayed by and strongly oppose Israeli plans to expand settlements in the West Bank and in particular plans to develop the El area."

"These plans, if implemented, would jeopardise the possibility of a contiguous and viable Palestinian state. The European Union and the Russian Federation reiterate that settlements are illegal under international law and constitute an obstacle to peace," the statement said.

On Thursday, Israel approved plans to build another 523 homes in the West Bank, the first step towards a new settlement "city" that drew furious Palestinian condemnation.

The new plans emerged during a week in which Israel went ahead with the building of thousands of other new settlement homes in east Jerusalem and the West Bank, sparking widespread condemnation.

Critics say that planned Israeli building north, south and east of Jerusalem is meant to drive a wedge into Palestinian territory and stifle the creation of an independent Palestinian state.

Ashton and Lavrov also said they "will not recognise any changes to the pre-1967 borders, including with regard to Jerusalem, other than those agreed by the parties."

And they called on Israel "to avoid any step undermining the financial situation of the Palestinian Authority."