EU doesn not recognize Israeli soverignty over Golan Heights

BRUSSELS, March 28 (Xinhua) -- In a stark contrast with the United States, the European Union does not recognize Israeli sovereignty over the occupied Golan Heights, its foreign policy chief has said.

"The position of the European Union as regards the status of the Golan Heights has not changed," Federica Mogherini, High Representative of the 28-member EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, said Wednesday in a statement.

"In line with the international law and UN Security Council resolutions 242 and 497, the European Union does not recognize Israeli sovereignty over the occupied Golan Heights," she said.

The United States is highly isolated on its decision to recognize Israel's sovereignty over the Golan Heights.

Earlier on Tuesday, the five UN Security Council members from the EU -- Belgium, Britain, France, Germany, and Poland -- issued a joint statement after U.S. President Donald Trump's Monday proclamation to recognize Israel's sovereignty over the territory.

Israel occupied much of the Golan Heights from Syria during the 1967 Six Day War. In 1981, Israel annexed the territory, although this was never recognized by the international community. Enditem