"We expressed our solidarity with the Palestinian people and also the hope that in the period ahead we will be able to work with the legitimate leadership, with the new leadership of the Palestinian Authority," Dutch Foreign Minister Bernard Bot told a news conference at an EU summit here.

He voiced backing for new proposals by EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana aimed at reviving the so-called Middle East "roadmap", in particular after the re-election of US President George W. Bush.

Bot said there was now a "window of opportunity" after the US elections for Europe and the United States to work together to get the Middle East peace process back on track.