SAFA- The European Union has moved forward with plans to impose trade restrictions targeting Israeli occupation settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories, as part of efforts to uphold the two-state solution.

EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas announced that the bloc has instructed member states' ambassadors to continue work on measures restricting trade with Israeli occupation settlements.

Speaking at a press conference, Kallas said the European Commission prepared several options at the request of the Council of the European Union in June. The proposals were discussed during a meeting of EU foreign ministers on Monday.

The proposed measures include a full or partial ban on imports of goods produced in Israeli occupation settlements, stricter export licensing requirements, and the imposition of customs duties.

"These measures are not directed against Israel, but against Israeli occupation settlements that undermine the two-state solution," Kallas said.

Under the EU-Israel Association Agreement, Israeli products are eligible  for preferential tariffs under certain conditions. However, goods produced in Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and the occupied Golan Heights are not covered by those trade benefits, although they are not completely banned from entering the European market.

EU officials stated that some exporters have falsely declared the origin of settlement products or combined them with goods made in "Israel" in order to get around current regulations.