On the morrow of the election in the Palestinian Lands, held last Sunday, EU Commission President Barroso said he was encouraged by the election of the President of the Palestinian Authority, Mahmoud Abbas, and that he welcomed the preliminary findings of the European Union Election Observation Mission, which state that there was "a genuine effort to conduct a regular electoral process". "I would like to congratulate him on his election as President."

Mr Barroso added that the European Commission now attaches particular importance to the organisation of credible Palestinian Legislative Council elections later this year. The presidential elections in Palestine are an important step forward on the way to creating a democratic and viable Palestinian state.

Mr Barroso urged the new leadership to seize the chance to bring a better future for the people of the region. The EU has reiterated its support to all those who sincerely seek a negotiated settlement.

The EU Commission contributed to the monitoring of the Palestinian election by sending the EU's biggest ever observation mission with 260 members.