EU denies that it would suspend aid to PA if peace talks fail

The European Union has denied claims that they intend to suspend financial assistance to the Palestinian Authority if the American brokered peace talks with Israel fail. The High Representative for EU foreign policy spokesperson, Maya Kossianic, told Italian news agency AKI, “The European Union did not make any such announcement. Such a move is out of the question now. The EU strongly supports the peace talks as the best way to resolve the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and to achieve security and stability for the region.”

Israeli newspapers circulated remarks attributed to the EU’s special representative to the Middle East peace process, Andreas Reinicke during which he reportedly said, “the European Union will reconsider its financial assistance to the Palestinian Authority if peace talks with Israel are futile.”

Meanwhile, a member of the Palestinian negotiating team, Mohammed Shtayyeh said it was unlikely that the current negotiations would lead to a peace agreement as the gaps between the two parties are too wide. Shtayyeh said the “American mediation is biased and favours Israel” calling other international powers to join the talks.

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry is scheduled to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas to present them with a security proposal between Israel and the future Palestinian State.