STRASBURG, MARCH 21, 2007 (WAFA) - The new president of the Interparliamentary Delegation for Relations with the Palestinian Legislative Council, Cypriot GUE/NGL MEP Kyriacos Triantaphyllides, welcomed Wednesday the formation of a Palestinian Government of National Unity, the conclusion of an arduous process which began with the Mecca agreement of February 8, 2007.

Upon his election, the President of the Delegation urged the EU presidency to act immediately so as to resume its assistance to the legitimate Palestinian government, without any intermediaries.

"The Quartet must thus take necessary measures to ensure that EU funding is dealt directly to Palestinian citizens and not held up by private banking institutions," he said.

Triantaphyllides also called on the Israeli government, pursuant to the pledge by the new Palestinian government to respect the international legitimacy resolutions and the agreements signed by the PLO, to commence negotiations with the Palestinian government in order to pursue normalisation of relations.

"The Israeli government must release all Palestinian tax and customs revenue withheld by Israel. The Interparliamentary Delegation for Relations with the Palestinian Legislative Council will visit the Palestinian territories at the beginning of May next and I hope that, by then, a renewed political process between Israeli and Palestinian leaders will lead to meaningful and viable negotiations with the view of ensuring the democratic process" Triantaphyllides said.

A.D (22.35P) (20.35GMT)