Last update - 00:00 14/08/2007
Hamas expresses willingness to engage in dialogue with Europe
By DPA and Haaretz Service
Hamas expressed readiness Monday to open dialogue with the West after calls by Italy's prime minister for it to do so.
Romano Prodi suggested in an address that Hamas' existence was a fact and that the group must be integrated into the political process rather than excluded.
Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri responded by saying "Prodi's statements coincide with other positive European officials' statements."
Zuhri noted that several British parliamentarians had criticized London's negative position on Hamas.
"Such positive stances came after Europe and the West realized how fatal their mistake was when they decided to boycott the movement," said Zuhri.
Hamas took control of the Gaza Strip in mid June when it defeated Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas' Fatah movement and security forces.
"We hope that the calls to launch a dialogue with Hamas would find an echo and would lead to fruitful results," said Zuhri. "We reiterate our concerns and readiness for an opened dialogue with the West."