Brussels, Mar 18: The European Union today welcomed the
establishment of a Palestinian national unity government but said a
resumption of direct aid would depend on an assessment of the new
cabinet's platform and actions.
''The Presidency of the EU welcomes the formation of a Palestinian Government of National Unity pursuant to the agreement reached in Mecca on 8 February 2007, which lays the foundation for Palestinian reconciliation,'' a statement issued by EU president Germany said.
''The Presidency of the EU recalls the readiness of the EU to work with and to resume its assistance to a legitimate Palestinian government adopting a platform reflecting the Quartet principles.
The EU will carefully assess the platform and actions of the new government and its ministers,'' it said.
German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier and EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana will discuss with US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice in Washington on Monday how to respond to the coalition formed by the rival Fatah and Hamas movements, diplomats said.
The United States and Israel have said the new government's platform does not meet the three conditions -- recognition of Israel, renunciation of violence and acceptance of past peace accords -- set by the Quartet of international peace mediators.
The statement said the EU would continue to aid the Palestinians through a Temporary International Mechanism bypassing the government ''until the financial situation and future needs can be assessed and a more sustainable framework for assistance can be established''.
The Islamist Hamas proclaims the right to resist occupation although it has accepted a long-term truce, and has not formally recognised Israel's right to exist.
Israel has said it will not work with the new government but will continue contacts with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, the moderate Fatah leader.
But France argues the Mecca accord is a major step forward, which the EU should be prepared to reward, and has invited new Foreign Minister Ziad Abu Amr to Paris, while Britain has said it will work with non-Hamas members of the new government.
Some diplomats have said Brussels is considering channelling some assistance through new Palestinian Finance Minister Salam Fayyad, a respected reformist technocrat.
The Quartet comprises the United States, the EU, Russia and the United Nations.
Reuters
''The Presidency of the EU welcomes the formation of a Palestinian Government of National Unity pursuant to the agreement reached in Mecca on 8 February 2007, which lays the foundation for Palestinian reconciliation,'' a statement issued by EU president Germany said.
''The Presidency of the EU recalls the readiness of the EU to work with and to resume its assistance to a legitimate Palestinian government adopting a platform reflecting the Quartet principles.
The EU will carefully assess the platform and actions of the new government and its ministers,'' it said.
German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier and EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana will discuss with US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice in Washington on Monday how to respond to the coalition formed by the rival Fatah and Hamas movements, diplomats said.
The United States and Israel have said the new government's platform does not meet the three conditions -- recognition of Israel, renunciation of violence and acceptance of past peace accords -- set by the Quartet of international peace mediators.
The statement said the EU would continue to aid the Palestinians through a Temporary International Mechanism bypassing the government ''until the financial situation and future needs can be assessed and a more sustainable framework for assistance can be established''.
The Islamist Hamas proclaims the right to resist occupation although it has accepted a long-term truce, and has not formally recognised Israel's right to exist.
Israel has said it will not work with the new government but will continue contacts with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, the moderate Fatah leader.
But France argues the Mecca accord is a major step forward, which the EU should be prepared to reward, and has invited new Foreign Minister Ziad Abu Amr to Paris, while Britain has said it will work with non-Hamas members of the new government.
Some diplomats have said Brussels is considering channelling some assistance through new Palestinian Finance Minister Salam Fayyad, a respected reformist technocrat.
The Quartet comprises the United States, the EU, Russia and the United Nations.
Reuters
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