BRUSSELS, Oct. 27 (Xinhuanet) -- European Union (EU) foreign policy chief Javier Solana on Wednesday welcomed the approval by Israeli Knesset (parliament) of Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's Gaza Strip withdrawal plan.

    "I congratulate the Israeli Government and the Israeli Parliament on the vote yesterday in the Knesset, which is a historic move, enhancing hopes for the peace Israelis and Palestinians deserve," Solana said in a statement.

    The Israeli Knesset approved Sharon's plan to withdraw from the Gaza Strip and part of the West Bank on Tuesday night.

    It is a first but meaningful and important step towards the two-state solution supported by the international community through the Road Map, Solana said.

    The EU's position has been that the withdrawal could represent a significant step towards the implementation of the Road Map, he added. Enditem