MAASTRICHT, the Netherlands, Sept. 3 (Xinhuanet) -- The European Union (EU) has said that it opposes Israel's resumption of construction of some settlements in the West Bank.

    Dutch Foreign Minister Bernard Bot made the statement while addressing the informal meeting of EU foreign ministers here on Friday.

    "We want to stimulate the Israeli plans for withdrawal from theGaza Strip on the basis of the conditions that were formulated by the European Council in March in the context of the roadmap," saidthe top diplomat of the Netherlands which is holding the rotating EU presidency.

    "We oppose recent steps by Israel to resume construction in certain settlements on the West Bank," Bot stressed.

    He said, however, that in the meantime, the EU cannot sit on its hands. Instead, it should search for ways to increase chances of success.

    "I hope we can discuss possible EU contributions to the implementation of the withdrawal process in such a way that it contributes to resuming implementation of the roadmap," he added.

    The biannual informational meeting of the EU foreign ministers,named Gymnich, will not draw conclusions during the meeting, but it will give a sense of direction of their discussions in the nexttwo days.

    The top items on the meeting's agenda are enlargement of Asia-Europe Meeting, the Middle East, Iraq and the issue on the Balkans.Enditem