Palestinian Authority Leader Mahmoud Abbas (L) is welcomed by European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso ahead of talks at the EC headquarters in Brussels, March 2, 2005. (Photo: Xinhua/AFP)

Palestinian leader Mahmud Abbas (R) and EU Foreign Policy Chief Javier Solana give a press conferee at the EU Headquarters in Brussels. Abbas vowed to create an independent Palestine as quickly as possible.(Photo: Xinhua/AFP)

European Commission (EC) President Jose Manuel Barroso (R) attends the press conference with visiting Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas at the European Union (EU) headquarters in Brussels, capital of Belgium, March 2, 2005. It was the first visit of Abbas to EU since his inauguration early this year. (Xinhua Photo)

Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas answers questions at the press conference at the European Union (EU) headquarters in Brussels, capital of Belgium, March 2, 2005. It was his first visit to EU since his inauguration early this year. (Xinhua Photo