One day after the US announced that it intends to work with the Palestinian unity government, the European Union on Tuesday welcomed the announcement of the formation of this government.
"We take note of the news of the establishment of a Palestinian national consensus government headed by Prime Minister Hamdallah. This is an important step in the process of Palestinian reconciliation,’’ a statement said.
The statement added : ‘’We welcome the appointment of a government of independent personalities and the declaration by President Abbas that this new government is committed to the principle of the two state solution based on the 1967 borders, to the recognition of Israel's legitimate right to exist, to non-violence and to the respect of previous agreements.’’
The EU said its engagement with the new Palestinian government ‘’will be based on its adherence to these policies and commitments.’’
The EU believes that the process of Palestinian reconciliation ''faces many challenges but it also creates new opportunities for the peace process, for democratic renewal and for the Palestinian people in both Gaza and the West Bank."