Palestinian chief negotiator Saeb Erekat said on Monday that urging the European Union (EU) to continue aid to the Palestinians despite Hamas' election victory was on top of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas' agenda during his European tour.

Speaking to local radio "Voice of Palestine" via phone, Erekat, who is accompanying Abbas in the European trip, said that the aid issue would be the key topic in talks between Abbas and European leaders and that Abbas would make a "serious effort" to urge the EU to continuing aid.

Abbas would also call upon the EU not to impose "collective sanctions" on the Palestinian people to avoid "disastrous consequences", Erekat added.

In addition, the senior Palestinian official also urged Hamas to give a "complete and comprehensive" response to Abbas' calls to open talks with Israel and accept interim peace deals.

"Everyone is waiting for a complete and comprehensive response from Hamas and I hope that the response will come in line with the Palestinians' highest interests and be based on international and the Palestinian (National) Authority's pledged commitments," Erekat said.

The EU, the largest donor to the Palestinians, has threatened to cut aid if Hamas does not renounce violence, recognize Israel and accept previous Palestinian-Israeli deals, following Hamas' landslide victory in the January Palestinian legislative elections.

Hamas, or the Islamic Resistance Movement, has called for Israel's destruction through armed struggle.

The group has been formally tasked with forming a new Palestinian government.

Hamas premier-designate Ismail Haneya presented Hamas' future government platform to Abbas on Friday, but Abbas called upon Hamas to clarify its positions, considering the platform letter too vague.

Abbas kicked off on Monday his European tour, during which he will visit EU president Austria and hold talks with major EU officials.

Source: Xinhua