PARIS, Feb. 28 (Xinhuanet) -- French President Jacques Chirac on Tuesday renewed a call for the new Palestinian government, to be formed by Hamas, to recognize Israel and renounce violence.

    The president's statement came one day after the European Union decided to continue its financial support to the Palestinian authority by transferring 120 million euros in aid to the Palestinians' basic needs in the short term -- the first international cash transfer since Israel imposed economic sanctions on the Palestinian Authority two weeks ago.

    EU Commissioner for External Relations Benita Ferrero-Waldner said Monday at a news briefing that this does not mean the Union has changed its mind and the package will not be a resource for the Hamas government.

    The European Union, which considers Hamas a terrorist organization, has set conditions for the aid, such as recognizing Israel, complying with previous international agreements and renouncing violence. Enditem