RAMALLAH, December 20, 2011 (WAFA) – Nabil Abu Rudeineh, spokesman for President Mahmoud Abbas, welcomed Tuesday a statement by the four European Union member states at the United Nations Security Council on Israeli settlements.

The four states – Britain, France, Germany and Portugal – denounced in a joint statement new Israeli plans to build 1,000 housing units in West Bank settlements, expressing “dismay” at the decision and saying Israel “sends a devastating message” by its act.

Abu Rudeineh said in a statement that “this position is consistence with international resolutions and the road map.”

He said “what is required now from everyone is to force Israel to stop settlements and to create the proper atmosphere to resume negotiations on the basis of the two-state solution and the 1967 borders.”

M.G./M.S.