BRUSSELS, February 23, 2012 (WAFA) – The European Union Wednesday expressed deep concern by Israeli plans to expand illegal Israeli settlements in the West Bank, according to a statement issued by Catherine Ashton, the EU’s foreign policy chief.

She said she was “deeply concerned” by the Israeli approval of new construction in the settlements of Shvut Rachel and Shilo as well as the retrospective approval granted for housing units already built.

“Settlements are illegal under international law,” she said. “In addition the Quartet Roadmap states that Israel should not only freeze all settlement activity, but also dismantle those settlements erected since March 2001.”

Ashton stressed that “it is particularly important at this point that neither party in the Middle East peace process undertakes provocative actions which undermine the prospects for continuing the dialogue which was re-established in January.”

She called on Israel “to respect its obligations under the Roadmap and reverse this decision.”

M.S.