WASHINGTON, March 19 (Xinhua) -- U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice discussed here on Monday with German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier, EU foreign policy chief Javier and other EU officials over the Middle East peace process.

    In their joint press conference after the talks, officials of the United States and the EU reiterated their principle that the new Palestinian government must recognize Israel's right to exist and renounce violence before it gets recognition and an end to a year-long aid boycott.

    "I have to say that this government does not comply fully with the principles," said Solana, referring to the conditions put forward by the "Quartet" of Middle East mediators -- the United States, the European Union, the United Nations and Russia.

    Rice also criticized a declaration by Ismail Haniya, Hamas leader and prime minister of the newly-born Palestinian national unity government, reaffirming Palestinians "right to resistance" against Israeli occupation.

    "I am not going to try to interpret what the right of resistance means, but I'll tell you it does not sound very good tome when one talks about 'all forms of resistance'," she said.

    Quartet members have been withholding crucial direct financial aid to the Palestinian government since the radical Islamic group Hamas came to power in elections a year ago.

    On Saturday, Hamas, mediated by Saudi Arabia and other Arab countries, formed a new ruling coalition with rival Palestinian faction Fatah.

    "Resistance in all its forms to the occupation is a legitimate right," Haniya said on the day.

    The Palestinians are hoping a coalition government with more moderate members of the Fatah party will end their isolation.