- Title: WEST BANK: EU foreign policy chief meets Palestinian President
- Date: 1st March 2009
- Summary: RAMALLAH, WEST BANK (FEBRUARY 28, 2009) (REUTERS) EU FOREIGN POLICY CHIEF JAVIER SOLANA ENTERING PALESTINIAN PRESIDENTIAL HALL WITH PALESTINIAN PRESIDENT MAHMOUD ABBAS SOLANA AND ABBAS TALKING SOLANA AND ABBAS ABOUT TO ADDRESS PRESS (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) PALESTINIAN PRESIDENT MAHMOUD ABBAS SAYING: "We spoke on clear terms about the Sharm el Sheikh conference, and the donations that is going to come for rebuilding (of Gaza). And these donations should be done through the Palestinian Authority and carried out through international institutions that are present there." SOLANA AND ABBAS STANDING BETWEEN EU AND PALESTINIAN FLAGS ADDRESSING PRESS (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) PALESTINIAN PRESIDENT MAHMOUD ABBAS SAYING: "(We also spoke about) the current Palestinian conditions and the internal Palestinian negotiations. We pointed out that we are making solid steps towards Palestinian national reconciliation." (SOUNDBITE) (English) EU FOREIGN POLICY CHIEF JAVIER SOLANA SAYING: "I don't think that there is a need for new mechanisms, but the mechanisms that exist already can be the most efficient mechanisms to deploy the money rapidly." SOLANA AND ABBAS STANDING (SOUNDBITE) (English) EU FOREIGN POLICY CHIEF JAVIER SOLANA SAYING: "I like very much that the conference signifies as I said not only money but also political support." ABBAS AND SOLANA SHAKING HANDS
- Embargoed: 16th March 2009 12:00
- Keywords:
- Topics: International Relations,European Union
- Reuters ID: LVA31FNX44A0MNK1QZJVLCMMDEDW
- Story Text: EU foreign policy chief continues visit in the region ahead of Palestinian donor's conference to be held in Cairo next week, meets Palestinian President Abbas.
The European Union's top diplomat continued on Saturday (February 28) his visit to the region, arriving to the West Bank city of Ramallah and holding a meeting with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.
"We spoke on clear terms about the Sharm el Sheikh conference, and the donations that is going to come for rebuilding (of Gaza). And these donations should be done through the Palestinian Authority and carried out through international institutions that are present there," Abbas told EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana after a lunch meeting.
On Friday (February 27), Solana toured the Gaza Strip and voiced support for efforts to end the schism between the militant Palestinian Islamists and their Western-backed, secular rivals Fatah.
"I don't think that there is a need for new mechanisms, but the mechanisms that exist already can be the most efficient mechanisms to deploy the money rapidly," Solana said.
In his first trip to the enclave since Hamas took it over in 2007, Solana met with UN officials and Palestinian community leaders. But he maintained an EU policy boycott by avoiding contacts or meetings with Hamas rulers.
A dozen Palestinian factions including Hamas and President Mahmoud Abbas's Fatah began reconciliation talks in Cairo on Thursday in a bid to agree by March 20 on a unity government.
"(We also spoke about) the current Palestinian conditions and the internal Palestinian negotiations. We pointed out that we are making solid steps towards Palestinian national reconciliation," added Abbas.
A deal could lead to the lifting of Israel's blockade of the coastal strip and boost Abbas's peacemaking efforts with Israel.
Solana said the European Union would await the outcome of the talks before taking a position. A group of former foreign ministers this week said it was time to end the ostracism of Hamas and start talking to the militants.
Solana was cautious in his immediate comment on the proposal, stressing that reconciliation must come first.
The United States, Israel and the European Union shun dialogue with Hamas, citing its refusal to renounce violence, to recognise Israel and accept past peace agreements.
Hamas leaders maintained their rejection of the demands.
Solana said the EU and the United States would attend a Western donors' conference in Egypt next week that will seek to raise some of the $2.8 billion estimated as needed for reconstruction in Gaza, following Israel's 22-day offensive.
More than 1,300 Palestinians and 13 Israelis were killed in the fighting which ended on Jan 18 with a shaky truce. But there have been incidents almost daily ever since, Israeli air strikes and with rockets fired from Gaza into Israel.
Solana said the European Union, which once oversaw the operation of the Rafah border crossing with Egypt, was ready to redeploy monitors there once a Palestinian reconciliation deal is reached. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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