BRUSSELS/LONDON (EJP)---The EU has been urged to resume formal links with Hamas after the Islamist group helped release BBC correspondent Alan Johnston in the Gaza Strip on Wednesday, British newspapers reported.

Hamas, which is on the EU list of terror organisations, has still not recognized Israel and renounced violence but the part played by the group IN Johnston’s release has raised hopes amongst some MEPs of a new phase in Middle East relations.

Liberal Democrat Liz Lynne, a member of the European Parliament’s Human Rights Committee, and a campaigner for the rights of Palestinians, commented: "This is obviously great news for Alan’s family and friends and all those who have campaigned for his release.

"Let us hope that this is the start of a new phase in the Middle-East and will persuade the European Union and other international bodies to start talking to Hamas, because only through dialogue can we achieve a long-lasting peace"

Communist Cypriot MEP Kyriacos Triantaphyllides, chairman of the European Parliament delegation for relations with the Palestinian Legislative Council said Johnston’s release could "spark a new beginning" in the Middle East.

He went on: "Since his appointment to Gaza in 2004, Alan had been an independent witness and analyst of events. His abduction was thus completely uncalled for.

"We now need to analyse the terms under which his surrender was made possible in order to elaborate the possibility for confidence-building measures in the Gaza strip in the near future."

"However, one must not lose sight of the current situation involving prisoners. The Israeli government must release all the Palestinian Legislative Council members it is currently holding illegally in jail. At the same time, Hamas must take the necessary measures to free soldier Gilat Shalid. A first step has been made today. Let this be the step of a new beginning."

UK’s new Foreign Secretary, David Miliband, has acknowledged the "crucial role" of Hamas in securing Johnston’s release.

But there were no specific indications of a softening of stance towards Hamas.

A spokeswoman for EU’s foreign policy chief Javier Solana said: "It would be premature to expect an immediate impact on relations between the EU and Hamas."