Meanwhile, Abbas met on Friday in Paris EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton where they discussed the current status of Israeli-Palestinian relations, Palestinian institution-building, the difficult economic situation and the outlook for the negotiations with Israel, according to an EU press release issued after the meeting. “The High Representative reiterated the EU’s determination to help bring an end to the conflict and the EU’s commitment to the creation of a future State of Palestine living side by side in peace and security with Israel,” said the statement. “She underlined that it is essential that the international community redouble its efforts to support financially the PA’s state building efforts,” it added. --SPA 14:10 LOCAL TIME 11:10 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/1013769