BBC: Solana rejects Israeli demand to cut relations with Arafat

European Union Foreign Policy Chief Javier Solana rejected on Sunday an Israeli demand to cut off contacts with Palestinian President Yasser Arafat.

The BBC Radio quoted Solana as saying after his meeting with Israeli Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom that the EU stance regarding the Palestinian-Israel conflict did not change.

Solana asserted the necessity to implement the roadmap plan and the Quartet committee decision regarding the peace process.

Shalom called upon the EU Foreign Ministers to take a decision against Hamas at the European Council meeting next Friday.

"European Foreign Ministers meeting in Italy next week will discuss the Israeli demands to outlaw and take measures against the Palestinian militant organization Hamas," the British television said.