Luxembourg stresses need for direct contact with Palestinian government
Palestine-Luxembourg, Politics, 4/2/2007

Luxembourg's Foreign Minister Jean Asselborn said on Saturday it was crucial to establish direct with the new Palestinian unity government despite Israeli attempts to torpedo these efforts, according to press reports.

"If we don't establish any contact with the (Palestinian) unity government, this would be a fatal political mistake," Asselborn said during an informal meeting of 27 European Union foreign ministers in the north German port city of Bremen.

The EU had broken off its direct contact with the Palestinian government after the election triumph of Hamas in January 2006.

Asselborn stressed "time had come to exert pressure on Israel" to reach out to the Arab side, making clear that "this important opportunity must not be lost." EU foreign ministers Saturday held a second day of talks in Bremen, with an emphasis on promoting peace prospects in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.

German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier voiced cautious optimism on the recent rapprochement between by Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.

"The international community must support this process," said Steinmeier who added that the EU was also monitoring the "decisions and actions" of the new Palestinian unity government.

The last developments notwithstanding the EU is not expected to agree on an immediate resumption of direct aid to the Palestinian Authority.

EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana said earlier that he would attempt to establish contacts with segments of the new Palestinian government of national unity.

The EU insists the Palestinian government has to meet three key conditions for the resumption of aid, namely recognition of Israel, renunciation of violence and agreement to comply with past peace treaties.

Previous Stories:
  Voices in Europe grow for end to sanctions on Palestinians   (3/26/2007)
  EU welcomes formation of Palestinian National Unity government   (3/20/2007)
  Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Jordan to take part in Quartet 's meeting In Cairo   (3/6/2007)

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