He said at a press conference with Foreign Minister Riyad Malki that the EU is interested in the Middle East peace process and wants to be helpful and supportive in finding a peaceful solution, noting EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton’s recent visit to the region.

“We are opposed to the continuing extension of settlements, and I believe that it should stop…It is not possible to have negotiations on the one hand and the settlements continue in pace in the same time,” said Gilmore.

“But we are anxious that the discussions will continue, because at the end of the day every dispute has to be resolved through negotiations and agreement,” he added.

Gilmore earlier met President Mahmoud Abbas and discussed the Middle East peace process, issues of the region and bilateral relations between Ireland and Palestine.

He also visited the Gaza Strip and witnessed firsthand the situation in Gaza. He also visited East Jerusalem on Friday and Area C in the West Bank on Saturday, which is under full Israeli control.

He is scheduled to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday.

Malki praised the good relations between Ireland and Palestine.

R.Q./M.S.