Ramallah - The Palestinian Authority (PA) on Thursday criticized a European Union decision to upgrade the bloc's relations with Israel, saying the decision rewards Israel for continuing to violate Palestinian rights.

Chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat said on the official Voice of Palestine radio the PA's disappointment with the EU decision saying "we expected the EU to force Israel to stop settlement activities" and other violations of Palestinian rights.

On Monday 27 EU foreign ministers agreed to upgrade the EU's relations with Israel, which will bring high-level regular meetings between Israeli politicians and EU leaders.

Arab states campaigned against the deal, which was negotiated over the past 18 months.

Erekat said that the agreement, "rewards Israel for its continued settlement activities and blockade" of the Gaza Strip.

He said the PA has been in contact with EU officials in an attempt to correct this situation.

PA acting Prime Minister Salam Fayyad had also expressed dismay at the EU decision saying it contradicted a decision the EU made in June, which linked upgrading relations with Israel to meeting freezing all settlement activities and ending the Gaza blockade.

"We believe this decision has wasted an important opportunity for the EU to positively influence Israel to honour international law and to abide by the text and spirit of the partnership agreement between the EU and Israel regarding respect for human rights," said Fayyad in a statement.

He said the EU decision contradicts an earlier decision by the European parliament which called for postponing any discussion on upgrading relations with Israel until a later date.

The PA, he said, will not accept this decision and will continue efforts to correct it. (dpa)