Statement by EU Spokesperson on General Court’s judgment anulling measures against Hamas – EU statement/Non-UN document

Brussels, 17/12/2014

141217_01_en

Statement by the Spokesperson on the judgement of the General Court of the EU on Hamas

We respect the General Court of the European Union's judgement delivered today annulling measures against Hamas, namely the designation of Hamas as a terrorist organisation and the freezing of Hamas' funds.

This legal ruling is clearly based on procedural grounds and it does not imply any assessment by the Court of the substantive reasons for the designation of Hamas as a terrorist organisation. It is a legal ruling of a court, not a political decision taken by the EU governments. The EU continues to uphold the Quartet principles.

The EU institutions are studying carefully the ruling and will decide on the options open to them. They will, in due course, take appropriate remedial action, including any eventual appeal to the ruling. In case of an appeal the restrictive measures remain in place.

FOR FURTHER DETAILS:

Catherine Ray +32 498 96 99 21 – +32 2 296 99 21 – Catherine.Ray@ec.europa.eu – @CatherineEUspox

Maja Kocijancic +32 498 984 425 – +32 2 298 65 70 – Maja.Kocijancic@ec.europa.eu – @MajaEUspox

Nabila Massrali +32 460 75 41 75 – Nabila.Massrali@ec.europa.eu

http://eeas.europa.eu/statements-eeas/2014/141217_01_en.htm