Prague  - Without naming any names, the European Union presidency in Prague congratulated Wednesday the winning parties in Israel's national elections, coupled with a call for them to work towards peacefully resolving the Mideast conflict.

"We hope that the new Israeli government will meet its obligations ... and refrain from measures which would make a two-state solution impossible," the EU presidency's statement said.

It described Israel as one of the EU's most important partners and that the Union was prepared to provide support for the peace process as a member of the Mideast Quartet and with partners in the region. dpa