"Hope is reborn in Palestine and Israel" expressed Graham Watson with satisfaction

4.59.02pm GMT Mon 10th Jan 2005

The ALDE Group in the European Parliament strongly welcomed the democratic election by a substantial majority, by the Palestinian people of Mahmoud Abbas as President of the Palestinian Authority, especially as the election was carried out without serious incident or challenge, despite the difficulties linked to the occupation of the Territories by Tsahal. This strong popular legitimacy augurs well for peace in the region for which the Head of the PLO has promised to work with all his strength, including through an appeal for a unilateral ceasefire and an end to the armed intifada.

"Peace and a political resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict can become realities that no-one must now undermine", declared Watson, President of the ALDE Group. "Israel must rise to this new political situation and can count on the full support of the EU to accompany the new process. Hope is reborn in Palestine and in Israel", he added.

The ALDE sent four observers to monitor the Palestinian vote: Ignasi Guardans (Catalonia, Spain), Emma Nicholson (UK), Giulietto Chiesa (Italy), and Hannu Takkula (Finland).