BRUSSELS, Jan 30: The European Union is ready to continue aid to the Palestinians as long as a future Hamas-led government commits itself to seeking peace with Israel, foreign ministers of the bloc said on Monday.

But the EU — the biggest donor to the Palestinians with 500 million euros ($605 million) of aid last year — stopped short of explicitly threatening to cut that funding if the group did not renounce violence and recognise Israel.

In a joint statement, the EU foreign ministers said they expected the new Palestinian Legislative Council to back the creation of a government “committed to a peaceful and negotiated solution of the conflict with Israel”.

“On this basis the EU stands ready to continue to support Palestinian economic development and democratic state-building,” it said in the statement, adding that the EU wanted to see a commitment to the rule of law and sound financial management.—Reuters