BRUSSELS, Belgium -- Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas told the European Union on Wednesday that he wants Palestinian statehood "as soon as possible."

Abbas was making his first visit to EU headquarters to drum up support from the 25-nation bloc for his reforms to prepare for statehood. "We will continue to work for this as soon as possible," he said.

Asked when the Palestinians might get statehood, EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana said: "The sooner the better."

Abbas on Tuesday attended an international conference on the Middle East in London, where he pledged to improve the Palestinian Authority's security services, a key demand of Israel and world donors.

The EU has given millions of dollars to back the building of government institutions.

Solana told Tuesday in London that "much work remains to be done in the area of security" but that the EU "stands ready to continue and enhance" its aid to the Palestinians to help restructure its police forces.

Abbas said the Palestinian Authority would consolidate its security and intelligence services into three branches, consider appointing a chief of police and increase police presence in the streets of the Gaza Strip and the West Bank.

In Brussels, Abbas met Solana before holding talks with European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso. He was also to pay a visit to the European Parliament to meet assembly President Josep Borrell.

Abbas won pledges Tuesday from the international community for at least $1.2 billion in financial aid for 2005.

Waldner said last month the European Commission would give around $330 million "to support further steps toward the creation of a viable Palestinian state." Part of the money will be spent to rebuild destroyed infrastructure.

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/national/apeurope_story.asp?category=1103&slug=EU%20Palestinians