Mogherini: Israeli Settlements Threaten Two-State Solution

The European Union's top representative for foreign and political affairs, Federica Mogherini warned that Israeli settlements threaten the two-state solution, but said: "A return to negotiations between the Palestinians and Israelis is possible."

Mogherini said: “We see the risk in the country {Georgia} of backsliding on some important reforms in the rule of law area.”

Speaking of developments in the EU's Eastern neighborhood in her opening remarks to the European Parliament, Mogherini noted: "Georgia is a close and trustworthy neighborhood ally, in our partnership, and it is precisely for this reason that we do not shy away from seeing risks."

She added: "conflict has not yet vanished from our continent," the top EU diplomat also spoke about recent tensions across the Tskhinvali region / South Ossetia occupation line in Georgia.

"In recent months, the security situation along the administrative boundary with South Ossetia's Georgian breakaway region has deteriorated," Mogherini said, adding that "this is why we are increasing our EU Monitoring Mission’s presence on the ground.”

Mogherini further noted that "because our [ EU ] support for Georgia's sovereignty and territorial integrity is not merely a statement or statement of principle, it is the basis of our daily concrete work on the ground."