EU Presidency Statement - The situation between Iraq and Kuwait

Mr. President,

I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union. The acceding countries Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, the Slovak Republic and Slovenia, as well as the associated countries Bulgaria, Romania and Turkey declare that they align themselves with this statement.
Mr. President,

The EU is deeply concerned about the situation in Iraq as evidenced by the extraordinary meeting of the European Council held yesterday to discuss the ongoing crisis over Iraq. On this occasion the members of the European Council also met the UN Secretary General Kofi Annan and the President of the European Parliament, Pat Cox.

The EU reaffirms the conclusions of the GAERC of 27 January and the terms of the public demarche of 4 February 2003 to Iraq which remain valid.

The EU believes that the way the unfolding of the situation in Iraq is handled will have an important impact on the world in the next decades, and we are determined to deal effectively with the threat of the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.

We are committed to the United Nations remaining at the center of the international order. We recognize that the primary responsibility for dealing with Iraqi disarmament lies with the Security Council. We pledge our full support to the Council in discharging its responsibilities.

The EU's objective for Iraq remains full and effective disarmament from weapons of mass destruction in accordance with the relevant UNSC resolutions, in particular resolution 1441. We want to achieve this peacefully. It is clear that this is what the people of Europe want.

War is not inevitable. Force should be used only as a last resort. It is for the Iraqi regime to end this crisis by complying with the demands of the Security Council.

The EU reiterates its full support for the ongoing work of the UN inspectors. They must be given the time and resources that the UN Security Council believes they need. However, inspections cannot continue indefinitely in the absence of full Iraqi cooperation. This must include the provision of all the additional and specific information on the issues that have been raised in the inspectors' reports.

Baghdad should have no illusions: it must disarm and cooperate immediately and fully. Iraq has a final opportunity to resolve the crisis peacefully. The Iraqi regime alone will be responsible for the consequences if it continues to flout the will of the international community and does not take this last chance.

The EU recognizes that the unity and firmness of the international community, as expressed in the unanimous adoption of resolution 1441, and the military build-up have been essential in obtaining the return of the inspectors. These factors will remain essential if we are to achieve the full cooperation we seek.

The EU will work with the Arab countries and the League of Arab Nations. We will encourage them, separately and jointly, to bring home to Saddam Hussein the extreme danger of miscalculation of the situations and the need for full compliance with resolution 1441. We support Turkey's regional initiatives with the neighbours of Iraq, and Egypt.

In this regional context, the European Union reiterates its firm belief in the need to invigorate the peace process in the Middle East and to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. We continue to support early implementation of the roadmap endorsed by the Quartet. Terror and violence must end. So must settlement activity. Palestinian reforms must be sped up and, in this respect, President Arafat's statement that he will appoint a Prime Minister is a welcome step in the right direction.

Mr. President,

The unity of the international community is vital in dealing with these problems. The EU is committed to working with all our partners, especially the United States, for the disarmament of Iraq, for peace and stability in the region and for a decent future for all its people.

Thank you, Mr. President.

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• EU Presidency Statement - The situation between Iraq and Kuwait (26/3/2003)