EU foreign policy chief: Hamas not a partner for Middle East negotiations

EU foreign policy coordinator Javier Solana has said that after the terror attacks in London, "efforts to secure peace in the Middle East have become even more important". He added: "We must resolve this conflict if we want to put a stop to terrorism." Solana said the EU was now "able to do a good job" that both sides accepted because it "remained independent and unswerving". Asked whether he could imagine EU peacekeeping troops in Gaza, he said: "No, not at the moment. Perhaps one day, when two autonomous states, Israel and Palestine, exist. Should both ask for the deployment of a peacekeeping force, the EU could also get involved." Asked whether he included Hamas in the mediation efforts, he said: "As long as Hamas is on the EU list of terrorist organizations, we will not have any contacts."