ei: By Topic: Remarks by Javier Solana, EU foreign policy chief, following a meeting with Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas (16 February 2006)

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Remarks by Javier Solana, EU foreign policy chief, following a meeting with Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas (16 February 2006)
The following is a summary of remarks to the press made by Javier Solana, EU High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) at the end of the meeting with Palestinian President Mahmoud ABBAS. This meeting was part of a tour by Mr Solana to the Middle East.
(Added 21 February 2006)

"I am delighted to be in Ramallah today. I met President Abbas at a moment of complex transition, following the Palestinian Legislative Council elections that took place last month. We fully respect the choice the Palestinians made in a free and fair democratic contest.

I have discussed with the President how best the European Union can help him and the Palestinian Authority (PA) in the current circumstances. We are the biggest provider of financial, economic and political support. We are also supporting the PA in the security field, in particular in Gaza and helping to reform the security structures.

I wish to underline that the European Union will not abandon the Palestinian people. We have never done so and we never will. We are committed to continuing to support the PA in this period of transition, until the formation of a new government. Then, we will see what is its composition and programme. Further decisions will be taken accordingly, on means and ways that allow the EU to continue supporting the people.

We are committed to continuing to work with President ABBAS. He was elected last year by an overwhelming majority, with a clear platform. He will continue to be our key interlocutor. We now await the formation of the new executive and its programme. We will evaluate our position in light of the incoming government's actions."

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