EU to appeal against court ruling that Hamas be removed from terrorist list: official

BRUSSELS - The European Union (EU) has decided to appeal against a court ruling made last December that Hamas be removed from terrorist list, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Federica Mogherini said on Monday.

The ruling was clearly based on "procedural grounds" and did not imply any assessment by the court of the merits of designating the Hamas as a terrorist organization, said Mogherini.

The Judgement of the General Court of the European Union on Dec. 17 annulled measures taken by the Council of the European Union against Hamas which designated Hamas as a terrorist organization and froze Hamas' funds.

Mogherini said that as a result of the appeal, the effects of the Judgement are suspended until a final decision is made by the Court of Justice.

She noted that the EU institutions are also studying carefully other appropriate remedial actions that may be taken to avoid possible annulments in the future within the ongoing review process of EU autonomous measures to combat terrorism.

The EU foreign policy chief said the fight against terrorism remains a priority and the EU is determined to stem the financing of terrorism, for which EU autonomous measures are an essential tool.