It also called for the end of the blockade.
We are very optimistic about the consequences of this negotiation, especially for the economy of Cuba and the end of the blockade, which is so damaging to us," he said.
Zapatero said his foreign minister, Miguel Ángel Moratinos, would argue at the meeting that the EU should stand up for the end of the blockade on Gaza and extend all its political and diplomatic capacity to reach that goal.
The main Palestinian demands remain on the table, notably a full Israeli troop withdrawal from Gaza, the end of the blockade of the territory and the opening of border crossings.
Despite Hamas' bluntness regarding its aims, the Western media continues to assume the organization is motivated by defensive goals, such as the end of the blockade or an Israeli withdrawal to the June 1967 lines.
If handled correctly by U.S. negotiators, such a powerful U.S. gesture of strength and resolve, could result in hastening Palestinian unity on internationally accepted terms, help pave the way to an end of the blockade and place peace talks on a firmer footing.
The developments over the past few days are seen as a huge step forward in easing the relations between Cuba and America, with some even saying that the release of the Cuban 5 will certainly lead to an end of the blockade — which still must be approved by US Congress.
The accord today, reached after seven hours of talks between the Czech prime minister, Milos Zeman, and the Austrian chancellor, Wolfgang Schussel, includes a call for the end of the blockades, which have infuriated Prague.
An Egyptian official told Reuters the talks would discuss Palestinian demands for the opening of more Israeli crossings into Gaza - a move that would help end six years of blockade of the coastal enclave ruled by the Islamist Hamas.
Turkey shelved its earlier demand for an ending of the blockade, settling instead for a humanitarian aid package that will be delivered through Ashdod under Israeli supervision.
