European High Representative for Foreign Affairs Federica Mogherini shakes hands with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas in Brussels, Belgium, Jan. 22, 2018. Photo: REUTERS/Yves Herman.

The European Union’s foreign policy chief assured Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas at a meeting in Brussels on Monday that the EU supported his ambition to establish the capital of a future Palestinian state in eastern Jerusalem.

Abbas in return repeated his call for eastern Jerusalem as capital as he urged EU member nations to recognize a Palestinian state immediately, claiming that this would not disrupt negotiations with Israel on a peace deal.

Federica Mogherini, in what appeared to be a veiled reference to US President Donald Trump’s recent recognition of Jerusalem as capital of Israel, called on those involved in the peace process to speak and act “wisely,” with a sense of responsibility.

Abbas made no reference to Trump’s move on Jerusalem or to comments on the issue made on Monday in Jerusalem by US Vice President Mike Pence.