EU will assist Palestinian government that seeks peace

The Palestinian election results were welcomed with caution by the European Commission given the victory by Hamas.

The Commission said the situation will now also be discussed with urgency during a meeting of the EU's foreign ministers scheduled for Monday in Brussels.

In her first reaction, External Relations Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner made it clear the EU will only work with the new Palestinian government if it is committed to peace with Israel.

"The Commission is ready to assist any Palestinian government that seeks peace by peaceful means and that commits to the principles that underpin EU/Palestinian agreements, notably the EU-Palestinian Authority (PA) Neighbourhood Policy Joint Action Plan and the Interim Association Agreement which bind the PA to the fundamental principles of peace and democracy, respect for the rule of law and human rights," she said.

Mrs Ferrero-Waldner said the European Commission is committed to supporting the Palestinian people in their hopes and aspirations for a better life, and for the road map objective of a Palestinian state at peace with Israel.

The European Commission said the election process represented a strengthened Palestinian commitment to democratic institutions.

"This commitment must now be taken up by the newly elected members of the legislature, and the new government which should commit itself to the road map and the principle of a resolution to the conflict by peaceful and negotiated means," she said.

According to an EU Election Observation Mission, deployed throughout the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip, the elections constituted a "fairly contested electoral process that was efficiently administered by a professional and independent Palestinian Central Elections Commission".

Malta was also represented in this mission through five observers.