Brussels, 21/03/2007 (Agence Europe) - The president-in-office of the European Council, Chancellor Angela Merkel, held a telephone conversation on Wednesday with the president of Palestine, Mahmoud Abbas. Their discussion was on the Middle East peace process as well as the new Palestinian government of national unity. According to a press release from the German EU presidency, Ms Merkel welcomed the fact that this government had already brought “pacification within Palestine”. She nonetheless restated the Quartet's request that the new government should meet the criteria set, “especially cessation of violence and the recognition of Israel”. The German chancellor stressed that everything should be done so that Gilad Shalit, the Israeli soldier kidnapped, might be released as soon as possible. She also encouraged the president to use the full powers set out in the government's programme to conduct negotiations aimed at making progress in the Middle East peace process. (hb)