EU Commission urges greater role for EU in Mid East

The European Union's executive body, the European Commission, has said that as the biggest aid donor to the Palestinians the EU should demand greater concessions from the Israelis.

The Commission said the EU should insist that Israel stop sealing off Palestinian territories and allow the Palestinians to exercise their right to economic development.

One European Commissioner responsible for Mediterranean Affairs Manuel Marin, said it was not right that the EU should remain sidelined in the peace process.

Mr Marin said the commission felt that the current EU aid package for the Palestinians should be extended when it expires at the end of this year.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service