by Michael Thurston
BRUSSELS - Palestinian leader Mahmud Abbas hailed Wednesday a new era of Middle East hope, and vowed to work to build a Palestinian state "as soon as possible," a day after winning ringing support for his reform plans.
The Palestinian Authority (PA) chief made the comments in Brussels, where he pressed European Union (EU) leaders to boost their role in the Middle East peace process following this week's conference on Palestinian reform in London.
Abbas said he wanted the EU -- long the biggest contributor of funds to the Palestinians -- to match its economic support with a bigger political role in backing the revived peace process.
"We are talking about a new era of peace and hope. And I hope that this (EU) support will continue," he said, adding: "Let's be optimistic. Let's remain optimstic."
At Tuesday's London talks Abbas secured global support for reforms to his administration, and in return promised to "put our house in order" and renew peace talks with Israel.
On Wednesday Abbas said the new momentum in the peace process -- fueled by Abbas' January election following the death of veteran leader Yasser Arafat -- only underlined his ultimate goal of an independent Palestinian state.
"According to the roadmap, this dream should be realized in 2005. We will continue to work towards its realization as quickly as possible," he said after talks with EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana.
"The sooner the better," added Solana, who is a key member of the Mideast peace Quartet of the EU, the United States, Russia and the United Nations whose leaders met in the sidelines of the London conference.
Abbas' reform blueprint will see the EU Union take the lead in coordinating international support for reform of Palestinians' political and administrative institutions.
The World Bank will play a similar role in salvaging the Palestinians' conflict-shattered economy, while the United States -- breaking from its image as Israel's best friend -- will lead expertise in developing Palestinian security forces capable of cracking down on extremists.
In the London conference conclusions, participants hailed the reforms plans as "a major step in implementing its roadmap commitments".
But in a candid warning to Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, the conclusions added: "Participants urged and expect action by Israel in relation to its own roadmap commitments."
EU commission chief Jose Manuel Barroso meanwhile called for restraint from both Israelis and Palestinians, and above all for an end to terrorist attacks.
"It's important to put an end to violence, be it violence coming from Israel or violence coming from the terrorist movements," he said. "It's about time that the people in that region have a real opportunity for peace.
Last month the EU commission announced that it will provide the Palestinian Authority with 250 million euros (320 million dollars) towards the creation of a viable Palestinian state.
The upbeat Middle East mood of recent days was clouded by last Friday's Tel Aviv bombing in which five Israelis and the bomber were killed and more than 40 others wounded.
Abbas reiterated his criticism of the attack Wednesday. "The whole of Palestinian society has condemned this attack and consider it an obstacle in the way of progress," he said.
EU parliament chief Josep Borrell, speaking after meeting Abbas, underlined the decisive boost given to the peace process by the change of Palestinian leadership.
"It is true that the leadership of Mr Arafat as seen by some as an excuse not to progress in the peace talks .. This excuse has disappeared. Now we have an interlocutor absolutely supported by all sides," he said.

03/02/2005 14:54 GMT