ROSTOV, June 2, 2010 (WAFA)- The President of the European Council, Herman Van Rompuy, has added his voice to the EU’s condemnation of the fatal violence around the ‘Freedom Flotilla’ sailing to Gaza on Monday.

 Speaking at the EU-Russia summit in Rostov on Don, he lent his full support to an earlier joint statement by EU High Representative Catherine Ashton and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov demanding “a full and impartial inquiry of the events and circumstances”.

 “We regret the loss of life, condemn the use of violence, and demand an immediate, full, and impartial investigation,” he said, adding, “that the continued policy of closure [of Gaza] is unacceptable and counterproductive”.

 Finally, he concluded, “I would like to underline that peace in the Middle East must remain our ultimate goal. It is of particular importance, although the situation is more tense, that recently launched proximity talks continue.