New EU[rabia] foreign policy chief: Recognizing a Palestinian state is not enough.

This undated image shows a young Federica Morgherini, the EU's new high representative for foreign affairs, with the late PLO leader Yasser Arafat.  probably dating back to the years of the Second Intifada when she worked for the Foreign Department of the DS

New EU[rabia] foreign policy chief: Recognizing a Palestinian state is not enough. (JPost).

Federica Mogherini chairs first meeting of EU foreign ministers since taking place of Catherine Ashton; says ministers will focus on what can be done to relaunch peace process and EU’s role.

European foreign ministers are meeting in Brussels Monday morning to discuss the stalled Israeli-Palestinian peace process amid growing calls by local politicians for the member states to unilaterally recognize Palestine as a state.

EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini of Italy, told reporters that the topic in front of the EU council of foreign ministers is boosting the EU’s role in a renewed peace process.

“What we need is not just recognition [of a Palestinian state]. We need  the building of a Palestinian state that can live next to the Israeli one in peace and security,” she said before the council meeting.

The meeting is the first one to be chaired by Mogherini who entered her post at the start of November, replacing Catherine Ashton. She immediately made a two-day trip to Israel and the Palestinian territories, including Gaza.

Israeli and Palestinian negotiations broke down in April and have yet to be revived, although the US has been speaking with both Palestinians and Israelis about that possibility. Hmmmm....Mind-boggling that someone so unqualified for the job can get the job. More here.