The European Parliament expressed cautious support Thursday for a possible prisoner-swap deal that would see Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit freed in exchange for the release of hundreds of Palestinians, dpa reported.
Hamas, a radical Islamic movement billed as a terrorist organization by the European Union and the United States, kidnapped Shalit in June 2006, when he was just 19.
In a resolution approved in Strasbourg, the EU's assembly said that "mutual trust-building measures by all sides, including a significant release of Palestinians prisoners, may help create a constructive atmosphere leading to the release of Sergeant Shalit."
The move would likely prove controversial, as many of the Palestinian prisoners that would be released have been detained in Israel in connection to terrorist activities.
"Gilad Shalit should not be made a bargaining chip by the terrorist organisation Hamas but should be released immediately," said Sari Essayah, a Finnish deputy from the conservative European People's Party.
Her words were reflected in the resolution, which called for the "the immediate release" of the Israeli soldier, who is also an EU citizen by virtue of holding a French passport.
At the same time, European deputies strongly condemned Hamas' actions, stressing that Shalit has been "deprived of basic human rights" during his detention, and urge the organization to allow the International Committee of the Red Cross to visit him.
The resolution was adopted while Shalit's father, Noam, was visiting the European Parliament. During his stay, he met the assembly's chief, Jerzy Buzek, as well as the EU's foreign policy director, Catherine Ashton.
It also came ahead of Ashton's planned visit to the Middle East, due to start on Sunday. She is expected to stop in Gaza, an area ruled by Hamas where Shalit is said to be hidden.