BRUSSELS
The EU still lists Hamas as a terrorist group despite a ruling by its General Court’s Wednesday that Hamas should be removed from the official list of terrorist organizations.
"The EU continues to consider Hamas a terrorist organization," European Commission spokeswoman Maja Kocijancic said. The EU General Court's decision to remove Hamas from the terrorist list, she said, ''is a legal ruling, and not a political decision taken by EU governments.''
Germany and the U.K. both took a similar line Wednesday, saying the ruling would not necessarily prompt them to soften their position toward Hamas.
The EU General Court ruled Wednesday that the decision to list Hamas on the 2001 terrorist list was not based on "acts examined and confirmed in decisions of competent authorities, but on factual imputations derived from the press and the Internet."
Freezes on Hamas' funds will remain in place for three months in case of an appeal, according to the Luxembourg-based general court.
''The EU institutions are studying carefully the ruling and will decide on the options open to them,'' a statement by the European Union External Action Service said. ''They will, in due course, take appropriate remedial action, including any eventual appeal to the ruling. In case of an appeal the restrictive measures remain in place.''
The U.K. Foreign & Commonwealth Office said Wednesday that it was studying the details of the judgment, as well, and would do everything in its power to ensure that the listing of Hamas is maintained at the EU.
The U.K. Government has proscribed Hamas' military wing since 2001.
"The EU General Court judgment is procedural," the Foreign Office said. "It does not mean the U.K. or EU have changed their position on Hamas. This is a separate process under U.K. legislation. The proscription in the UK is unchanged by the court judgment."
Germany, too -- pointing out that Hamas did not recognize Israel -- said its point of view had not changed.
"The EU court's decision on Hamas does not pose a difference for Germany," Martin Schaefer, the Foreign Ministry spokesman said at a press conference in Berlin.
"Germany has always supported a two-state solution in the region," he added.
In December 2001, the European Council -- made up of representatives of the 28 member countries -- adopted a terrorist list requiring freezing of the funds of those people and entities listed. Hamas opposed the measures, which kept it on the list.
The General Court’s decision to lift Hamas from the terrorist list came a few hours before the European Parliament voted Wednesday for a non-binding resolution calling for recognition of Palestine as a state -- based on peace talks that include Israel.
www.aa.com.tr/en
