PARIS (EJP)---French President Nicolas Sarkozy said Thursday that "as head of state" he doesn't have to talk to Hamas.

Asked by a journalist about former US president Jimmy Carter's recent meeting with the Islamic movement, Sarkozy said in a prime time television interview broadcast::"I don't want to speak to Hamas because I don't  have the right to speak to an organization that wants to wipe Israel off the map."

"I won't speak either to Iranian president who has also announced that he would wipe Israel off the map," he added.

"Europe must give money to those who understand that there is no future without the recognition of Israel," Sarkozy added.

The French president said he wants Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas "to succeed."