Historical Documents
EU statement on aid to Palestinian Authority after the elections
On Monday, 30 January, the first meeting of the Council for General Affairs and External Relations was held in Brussels and chaired by Foreign Minister Ursula Plassnik. In addition to presenting the Presidency's programme, priority was given to the current topics of Belarus, the situation in the Western Balkans, the Middle East and Iran.
The Council emphasised the central role of President Mahmoud Abbas in the present transitional period and assured him of its support in the search for a peaceful solution to the conflict with Israel. "The European Union expects the newly elected Legislative Council to support the formation of a government which is committed to the peace process�, said Plassnik. �On this basis, the European Union is prepared to continue to support the economic and democratic development of Palestinians. On the road to democracy, there is no place for violence and terror," said Plassnik, in reference to the principles of the European Union. On behalf of the EU, the Council President confirmed the position of the Middle East Quartet after the Palestinian elections.
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