BARCELONA, SPAIN, Nov. 27 (Xinhuanet) -- British Prime Minister Tony Blair said on Sunday that the European Union (EU) would continue to support a viable Palestinian state as a final solution for the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.

    "The EU would pay its contribution to the Middle East peace process and continue to support the 'two-state' solution," Tony Blair told a joint press conference with Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas held at the start of a two-day EuroMed summit in Barcelona.

    Tony Blair, whose country holds the rotating EU Presidency, welcomed the opening of Rafah International Border Crossing, saying it is one important step towards eventual statehood.

    "It shows that difficult progress could be made," said Blair.

    Mahmoud Abbas thanked the involvement of the EU in last week's opening of the Rafah crossing, adding that the political and economic support from the EU is vital for the peace and stability of the region.

    The Palestinian leader also said that the opening of the Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt will be the first of many such openings for his people.

    Leaders from the EU and 10 Mediterranean states are gathering here for a two-day summit. However, Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon walked away from the conference citing the pending general elections as the reason. Enditem