EU rejects current Palestinian state plan

In Brussels, EU foreign ministers say they currently do not support a Palestinian plan for an independent state at the United Nations. Palestinian leaders launched an appeal to the EU to back their plan.

EU ministers on Tuesday turned down the Palestinians' appeal for its support.

They said the Palestinian's bid to gain support in the UN security council for an independent state in the West Bank and Gaza Strip was premature.

Carl Bildt, Sweden Foreign Minister, said, "I would hope to recognise a Palestinian state but there has to be one first."

Javier Solana, EU Foreign Policy Chief, said, "That has to be done with time and calm in the appropriate moment. I don't think today is the moment to talk about that and I don't think anybody is looking for that today.'

At the same time, the ministers have called on Israel to freeze all settlement construction in the West Bank.

Tuesday's meeting also discussed ways to coordinate with the US to get Palestinians and Israelis back to the negotiating table.

Benita Ferrero-Waldner, EU External Relations Commissioner, said, "But the most important is until now to really help the Americans bring both sides again to the table. And there are lots of ideas, things are being discussed but we are not yet there..."

Washington says it would veto the Palestinian declaration of statehood in the UN Security Council.

Israel is warning it would respond with its own moves to any unilateral steps by the Palestinians.

It says only negotiations with Israel would secure a Palestinian state.