PA to Europe: Lifting Hamas boycott will jeopardize reconciliation talks

By JPOST.COM STAFF
The Palestinian Authority has warned Europe against lifting the boycott imposed on Hamas, saying it could jeopardize Palestinian reconciliation talks. PA Foreign Minister Riyad al-Malki said Monday he had relayed the message to European leaders last week during talks in Brussels. Malki said the Europeans must not give Hamas the impression that "the international community, and especially the European Union, is ready to change its position towards Hamas", whether or not the group agrees to honoring past agreements with Israel. "There wouldn't be any harm if (European states) talked to Hamas after we reach a reconciliation agreement and after Hamas joins the parties committed to the agreements," Malki said.