LUXEMBOURG, Oct. 3 (Xinhuanet) -- European Union (EU) foreign ministers expressed on Monday "grave concern" over the expansion of Jewish settlements in the West Bank and the construction of the separation barrier in occupied Palestinian territory.

    "These activities form an obstacle to peace and threaten to make any solution based on the coexistence of two states physically impossible," said the foreign ministers in a statement.

    The ministers are meeting in Luxembourg, primarily to remove the last hurdle to membership talks with Turkey -- Austria's insistence on granting a "privileged partnership" instead of full membership.

    "The council (of foreign ministers) reiterate that, while recognizing Israel's rights to protect its citizens, the construction of the separation barrier in the occupied Palestinian territory is contrary to international law," said the statement.

    The ministers asked Israel to stop these activities.

    "The council remained particularly concerned by the settlement building and the construction of the separation barrier in and around East Jerusalem, which is having a detrimental effect on the lives of Palestinians and jeopardizes a final status agreement on Jerusalem."

    Both Israel and Palestinians claim the whole Jerusalem as their capital.

    The ministers also expressed concern about renewed violence in the region. They condemned Palestinian militants, encouraged the Palestinian Authority to take full control of security in the GazaStrip, and asked Israel to "act with restraint and to refrain from all extra-judicial killing, which are contrary to international law."

    The ministers welcomed the conclusion of the Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip and the northern part of the West Bank, saying disengagement is a significant step toward implementing the Roadmap peace plan. Enditem