OREANDA-NEWS. The European Union does not accept the US proposal, as part of a Middle East settlement initiative, to recognize the Israeli-occupied Palestinian territories on the West Bank. This is stated in a statement issued on Tuesday in Brussels by the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell.

"We are particularly concerned about US statements about the possibility of annexing the Jordan Valley and other territories in the West Bank. In accordance with international norms and resolutions of the UN Security Council, the EU does not recognize Israeli sovereignty over territories occupied after 1967", the statement said.

At the same time, Borrell began his statement by stating that the EU "is fully committed to the transatlantic partnership and any attempt to find a peaceful solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict".

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu supported the initiative and expressed readiness for the immediate start of peace talks. Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas and representatives of the Hamas radical movement strongly rejected the proposals of the US president.