FM Kouchner says it would be "too bad" if the EU were locked out.
By ASSOCIATED PRESS
PARIS — France wants the European Union to have a seat at the table during next week's start of US-backed peace talks between Israel and the Palestinian Authority in Washington.French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner said it would be "too bad" if the EU were locked out — noting the bloc's political involvement in the region and its role as a top contributor of financial aid to the Palestinians.RELATED:PM wants regular talks with AbbasEuropeans hail return to negotiating tableKouchner said in a speech Friday to French ambassadors that he has written a letter to EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton expressing his concern.The talks were shelved two years ago, but the US administration is hoping for a breakthrough during the new rounds of negotiations set to begin Sept. 2.