HELSINKI, Dec 27, 2006 (AFP) - The European Union Wednesday strongly criticised Israel's approval of a new settlement in the occupied West Bank for the first time in more than 10 years, describing it as illegal under international law.
'The Presidency of the European Union expresses its deep concern at the news that the Israeli Government has authorised the construction of the Maskiot settlement in the West Bank,' said a statement by Finland, which currently holds the EU presidency.
'Such unilateral actions are also illegal under international law,' the statement said.
It said the development ran contrary to the commitment undertaken by Israel in the so-called 'roadmap' plan, which originally called for the creation of a Palestinian state by 2005, side by side with Israel.
The plan was sponsored by the United States, Russia, the EU and the United Nations.
The Finnish statement here also said the timing of the Israeli announcement was particularly unfortunate as the authorisation had come shortly after a meeting between Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert Olmert and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.
'The Presidency of the EU urges the parties to refrain from all activities that would endanger the cease-fire and the hopes the meeting between Olmert and Abbas have raised.
'Extending the cease-fire to the West Bank must be an urgent goal.'
The Israeli defence ministry gave the go-ahead for the settlement in the northern Jordan Valley, a spokeswoman said.
The new settlement will be called Maskiot and its construction is due to begin within weeks, said a group representing the settlers.
The Palestinians slammed the decision, saying that it went against agreements reached between Abbas and Olmert during their meeting on Saturday, their first in six months.
In 2005, Israel dismantled all 21 settlements in the Gaza Strip and withdrew troops and settlers from the territory, ending a 38-year occupation.