'No peace with Israeli expansionism'

If Israeli settlement construction continues, the right atmosphere for peace in Middle East will not be created, says EU's Javier Solana.

"The construction of settlements must stop," said EU foreign policy chief in a press conference after a meeting between the foreign ministers of the EU countries.

Israel said on Sunday that plans to build a total of 750 homes in Givat Ze'ev, a settlement near al-Quds, were being revived.

"We deplore this statement as it puts the Annapolis peace process in jeopardy," Solana said.

He recalled that a halt to settlement activity was enshrined in the first phase of a so-called peace plan, known as the Road Map.

EU External Relations Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner, who also spoke in the press conference, said most of the EU officials are convinced that there is a need to open all crossings that connect Gaza to the rest of the world to stabilize the economical situation and ease the humanitarian hardships Gaza residents are facing.