(MENAFN- Kuwait News Agency (KUNA)) Belgian Foreign Minister Didier Reynders Thursday "strongly deplored" the Israeli authorities' decision to reinforce the expansion of settlements in "Ramat Shlomo" in occupied East Jerusalem. In November 2014, Foreign Ministers of the 28-member European bloc had already expressed their opposition to these plans, calling on Israel to rescind its decision, said Reynders in a statement.

"Israel's determination to pursue its settlement policy in the occupied territories not only threatens the viability of the two-state solution but also seriously questions its commitment to conclude a peace agreement with the Palestinians", stated the Foreign Minister.

He added that "settlements are illegal under international law", and welcomed the fact that the EU and its Member States continue to ensure that European legislation and bilateral agreements are implemented.