New EU chief: Palestinian state needed as world 'cannot afford' another Gaza war

"We cannot just sit and wait," Federica Mogherini says, calling for immediate action.

 EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini (C) visits a UN-run school in Gaza. (photo credit: REUTERS)
EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini (C) visits a UN-run school in Gaza.
(photo credit: REUTERS)
The entire European Union seeks the establishment of a Palestinian state, AFP cited the EU's new foreign affairs chief Federica Mogherini as saying Saturday.
"We need a Palestinian state -- that is the ultimate goal and this is the position of all the European Union," was quoted as saying during a visit in Gaza.
Mogherini stressed that the residents of the coastal enclave along with the rest of the world "cannot afford" another war.
 
"We cannot just sit and wait. If we sit and wait it will go on for another 40 years. We have to have action now," AFP quoted her as saying.
Mogherini's visit in Gaza included meeting with Palestinian leaders and stopping at a UN-run school sheltering Palestinians, whose houses were destroyed during the most recent conflict between Israel and Hamas.
Mogherini met on Friday with Israeli officials during her first official visit to the region.
Reuters contributed to this report.