Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas Wednesday held talks with Swedish Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt and other cabinet members, urging Sweden and the European Union to give "political support" to the Middle East peace process, dpa reported.
Abbas, currently touring several European capitals, expressed his thanks for aid from Sweden that he recognized as one of the main donors to the Palestinians.
"To be honest with you we don't want only financial aid from Sweden," Abbas said at a news conference with Reinfeldt.
"From Sweden and Europe we expect political support," Abbas said, speaking through an interpreter, adding that "Sweden and the European Union stand for the two-state solution, stand for a successful peace process and we believe that Europe and Sweden can play a vital role."
Earlier this week Abbas visited the Czech Republic, the current holder of the EU presidency.
Reinfeldt said Sweden was monitoring talks to promote Palestinian reconciliation and as incoming EU president was prepared to play a role in possible future elections.
Sweden was also eyeing who would represent Hamas in a possible national unity government with Abbas's Fatah movement, Reinfeldt said, noting that members from Hamas also have to show that they are "believers in a two-state solution."
The two leaders also discussed the outcome of the Israeli elections and said they hoped a future Israeli government would respect a two-state solution.
Reinfeldt said Sweden was to be represented at next week's donor conference aimed at raising aid to reconstruction of the Gaza Strip which Hamas runs.
During his visit to Sweden, Abbas met with among others King Carl Gustaf, Foreign Minister Carl Bildt and Mona Sahlin, leader of the opposition Social Democrats.