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EU warming up to new Palestine government
15.09.2006 - 18:56 CET | By Lucia Kubosova
EUOBSERVER / BRUSSELS - EU foreign ministers have given "unanimous" support to Palestinian leaders' move to form a government of national unity, with the Finnish presidency suggesting the bloc could soon resume ties with the Palestinian authorities.

Finland's foreign minister Erkki Tuomioja told journalists after the meeting on Friday (15 September) that the latest attempts by Hamas - a group which is on the EU's list of terrorist organisations - and the Fatah movement of the moderate president Mahmoud Abbas to join forces showed "the most important glimpse of hope" in the region.


He said Mr Abbas had assured the EU that the new coalition will respect commitments by previous Palestinian administrations and its agreements with the international community, adding that this "allows us to re-engage directly with the Palestinian administration."

"In general, we're dealing with governments. And we want a Palestinian government to deal with," noted Mr Tuomioja.

Ministers gathered in Brussels were briefed by the EU's foreign policy chief Javier Solana on the latest developments in the Palestinian territories, with Mr Solana reading out two fresh statements by Mr Abbas which most ministers had not seen yet.

"Javier Solana told us in the platform there will be recognition by the new government of the treaty signed by the Palestinian Authority in the past - it means recognise Israel as a partner," Italian minister Massimo d'Alema was quoted as saying by Reuters.

"It's a very important turning point for the situation," he added.

Dutch foreign minister Bernard Bot stated that "In principle we are prepared to enter into contact with the new government," adding however that Mr Abbas' pledges should be "realised."

The EU and US have boycotted the Hamas-led government, set up in March after the islamist group's surprise victory in January, due to its failure to recognise Israel, renounce violence and accept previous peace agreements.

Earlier this week, some US officials have made clear they stick to their position and do not yet see reasons to resume the cooperation and financial aid to the Palestinian administration.

The so called "Quartet" group - the US, UN, EU and Russia - involved in Middle East peace negotiations is set to meet for further discussions on the recent events next week in New York.

EU warming up to new Palestine government (http://euobserver.com/24/22427)