EU Foreign Ministers Mull Future Middle East Policy
On Monday, EU foreign ministers gather in Brussels to discuss Europe's political and financial role in the Middle East following the Hamas victory in Palestinian elections last week. The European Union might have been prepared for a strong showing by Hamas in last week's Palestinian general elections. But the bloc was not expecting a full-out victory. And now the EU finds itself uncertain of how to face the winners, despite official statements applauding the Palestinians for a successful election – the first free ballot in 10 years. The foreign ministers of the EU are convening on Monday to discuss the matter. Their goal is to establish a common line on how to deal with the radical Islamist party, which is registered on the EU list of terror organizations. EU diplomats say time is of the essence, and the Europeans should watch how government building progresses and how the politics of Hamas develops. If Hamas swears off violence and acknowledges Israel's right to exist, that would be a step in the right direction and a signal that the EU can continue channeling extensive financial aid to the Palestinian Authority without worry. But the ministers have not gone quite so far as to draft concrete demands for the Hamas or to threaten with financial consequences.
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