MIDDLE EAST/EU: The EU supported the formation of a government of national unity in the Palestinian territories yesterday and signalled that it may be able to establish contacts with it shortly.
But opening direct talks and lifting the embargo on aid to the administration will depend on the programme of the government agreed by president Mahmoud Abbas and Hamas.
"This is a most important glimmer of hope in the Middle East," said Finnish foreign minister Erkki Tuomioja, who chaired the meeting as his country holds the six-month long rotating EU presidency.
"This creates a new situation and allows us to break the deadlock that we have had in place since January."
The EU and the US have boycotted the Hamas-led government that was formed in March because it refused to recognise Israel, renounce violence and accept past peace accords.
But placing an embargo on direct talks and supplying aid to the Hamas-led Palestinian government has led to a humanitarian crisis and instability in the region. The EU's strong support for the unity government contrasts with Washington's more cautious approach to the initiative. On Thursday, US state department spokesman Sean McCormack said there had been no change that would justify lifting the embargo.
But EU diplomats indicated that initial contacts with President Abbas on the format of the new unity government suggested it would recognise the treaty signed by the Palestinian Authority in the past, which recognised Israel as a partner.
"It is clear we want to be firm on principles, but we should be flexible about the form this government chooses in the text," said external relations commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner, who added that there were encouraging signs from the region.
However, diplomats indicated that some EU states, particularly Britain, the Netherlands, the Czech Republic and Germany had urged caution.
EU ministers also approved a three-month extension of a temporary aid mechanism that funnels aid to Palestinians without passing through the Hamas-led government.