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Last update - 16:27 16/06/2009
Lieberman: Israel wants direct talks with PA, Syria and Saudis
By Barak Ravid, Haaretz Correspondent, and Haaretz Service
Tags: Israel News 

Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman said on Tuesday that Israel is ready to hold direct peace talks without preconditions with the Palestinians, Syria, and Saudi Arabia, though he reiterated Jerusalem's stance that West Bank settlement construction should be allowed to accommodate natural growth.

"There is understanding in the U.S. and in Europe with regards to the basic need to continue natural growth," Lieberman told Israel Radio, while on official visit in Europe. "We have no intention of changing the demographic balance in the West Bank and establishing facts on the ground."

Settlements featured prominently in talks on Monday between Lieberman and 27 European Union foreign ministers in Luxembourg. Although senior EU figures did not work to stop the upgrading of relations with Israel, they said additional progress would depend on the peace process with the Palestinians. The announcement effectively stops the upgrading, at least until Israel and the Palestinians resume negotiations.
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The EU foreign ministers held a few hours of consultations before their meeting with Lieberman, releasing a statement very critical of Israel afterward. France and Belgium led the criticism, and Netanyahu is likely to hear similar messages when he goes to Paris next week.

The ministers said in a statement they "welcomed the initial step" of Netanyahu's speech, but added it was not enough and that Israel had to unequivocally state its support for the two-state solution.

The EU "remains deeply concerned by settlement activities" and urged the Israeli government to "immediately end settlement activities, including in East Jerusalem and including natural growth," the statement said, reiterating the position that settlements are illegal according to international law and are an obstacle to peace.
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  1.   Avigdor 09:54  |  Yosemite 16/06/09
  2.   Note the EU attitude, and the Israeli who is in denial 10:26  |  Johnboy 16/06/09
  3.   why? 10:46  |  Stem Cell 16/06/09
  4.   Lieberman`s a liability. We DON`T understand natural growth. 10:48  |  Michael 16/06/09
  5.   Natural growth 12:00  |  Outsider 16/06/09
  6.   Talks will show world Arabs do not want peace 12:02  |  Baruch Gold 16/06/09
  7.   the lost selling edge 12:24  |  european 16/06/09
  8.   Go grow it somewhere else, please? 12:45  |  Morris Valentine 16/06/09
  9.   Re: 1 14:33  |  Edan 16/06/09
  10.   Lieberman wants... 14:34  |  Anne 16/06/09
  11.   Lieberman is trying to divide the joint stance of the Arab States 14:46  |  Chris Linthwaite 16/06/09
  12.   FM Lieberman statements. 14:53  |  Pierre de Lange.... 16/06/09
  13.   Now I get it! 15:06  |  Mark Lincoln 16/06/09
  14.   #2 It is a laager mentality, european 15:23  |  Johnboy 16/06/09
  15.   You really have to wonder at the depth of denial in Israel! 15:32  |  Johnboy 16/06/09
  16.   Earth calling Lieberman 15:53  |  Axel 16/06/09
  17.   of course 15:56  |  Max 16/06/09
  18.   Its not his fault 17:58  |  David 16/06/09
  19.   Morris a bone to pick with you 18:57  |  Labhras 16/06/09
  20.   Lieberman`s a serpentine liar!! 20:03  |  Syed M 16/06/09
  21.   What about the following suggestion? Israel agrees to stop 21:02  |  Lucy Somera 16/06/09
  22.   Chris Linthwaite, would you prefer if Mr. Lieberman said 21:06  |  Lucy Somera 16/06/09
  23.   Anne, as far as I`ve heard anyway many Arabs 21:08  |  Lucy Somera 16/06/09
  24.   Pick away, Labhras (#19) 06:30  |  Morris Valentine 17/06/09
  25.   Earth calling Axel (#16) 06:35  |  Morris Valentine 17/06/09
  26.   #23 lucy Somera.Why the Israeliu arabs do not complain??? 12:58  |  Adam 17/06/09
  27.   #24, #25 I`m curious, Morris 02:36  |  Johnboy 19/06/09
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