RAMALLAH, West Bank, June 04, SPA -- The Palestinian prime minister is urging the European Union not to upgrade ties withIsrael unless Israel halts settlement expansion andconstruction of the West Bank separation barrier. Prime Minister Salam Fayyad spoke Wednesday in the villageof Bilin. The barrier threatens to swallow almost 10 percent of West Bank land. Fayyad has sent a letter to the EU asking it not toupgrade ties with Israel unless Israel freezes settlements, the Associated Press reported. On Wednesday, he raised the issue publicly. He said theinternational community needs to take a firm stand. He saidthat «in this context came our call to the EU» not toupgrade its relationship with Israel. --SPA www.spa.gov.sa/562174