"The Palestinian people have voted democratically and peacefully. I welcome this. The European
Union has supported the smooth running of these elections.
We await confirmation of the results. These results may confront us with an entirely new situation
which will need to be analysed by the Council next Monday. The EU will express its views on
prospects for cooperation with the future Palestinian Government in the light of that discussion and
of developments on the ground. The Quartet will also discuss this new situation at its ministerial
meeting next Monday in London.
The position of the European Union in support of the recognition of Israel and a peaceful
negotiated solution leading to two States is well known."

Ref: S027/06