Commission offers fresh support for the electoral process in Iraq

Summary: November 4, 2004: Commission offers fresh support for the electoral process in Iraq (Brussels)

FR - DE

As EU leaders prepare to meet the Iraqi Prime Minister Ayad Allawi at the European Council on 5th November, the European Commission is setting out the details of a €31.5 million package to support election activities in Iraq. Most of this sum will be channelled through the International Reconstruction Fund Facility for Iraq, although the European Commission will be funding a number of additional activities to support the election process, including European election experts to work with the Independent Electoral Commission of Iraq and the United Nations in Baghdad, and to train Iraqi election observers. These measures show the importance that the EU attaches to the holding of inclusive and transparent elections in Iraq, and its commitment to supporting the political transition towards constitutionally elected Iraqi Government. The package, which includes €16.5 million of fresh money, brings the Commission's total contribution to Iraq in 2003-2004 to almost €320 million.

Commissioner Chris Patten said: "Elections are crucial to the development of a democratic and stable Iraq. The substantial election assistance that we will be presenting to Prime Minister Allawi is part of a wider package that demonstrates once again, the EU's commitment to helping Iraq build for a more peaceful and prosperous future."

Following a Commission fact-finding mission last October, and in agreement with the UN Electoral Assistance Division and the Iraqi Independent Electoral Commission, the Commission has decided to contribute to the preparation of the Iraqi elections with the following measures:

€30 million for preparation of the election, including support for the Independent Electoral Commission, Information Technology, voter outreach, media development and boosting the participation of women. This contribution is €15 million higher than originally planned, with €14 million drawn from the Rapid Reaction Mechanism, and €1 million from the European Initiative for Democracy and Human Rights.
€1.5 million for activities including:
Deployment of 3 European experts to Baghdad to support the work of the Independent Election Commission through the UN Election Assistance Division.
Training programme for up to 150 representatives from Iraqi domestic observer groups.

Elections for a Transitional National Assembly in Iraq, which will form a new government and draft a new constitution, are due to take place in January 2005.

Background

Taking into account the new package, the European Commission and the European Community Humanitarian Office have provided Iraq with assistance amounting to almost €320 million from the Community budget. Last March, the European Commission set three priority areas for assistance to Iraq in 2004: governance and civil society (the category into which the election package falls); essential public services (health, education, water and sanitation); and poverty and jobs. The Commission is preparing a new assistance programme for 2005, currently proposed to amount to €200 million.

In June 2004, the Commission proposed a new framework for the EU's relations with Iraq, proposing actions for the immediate future, the post-election period, and the medium term, culminating in a bilateral agreement with Iraq, associating Iraq with other partners in the region.

For further information on the EU-Iraq relations
http://europa.eu.int/comm/external_relations/iraq/intro/index.htm

Communication "European Union and Iraq: a Framework for Engagemen" at
http://europa.eu.int/comm/external_relations/iraq/doc/com04_417_en.pdf

Ref: EC04-269EN
EU source: European Commission
UN forum:
Date: 4/11/2004

| Top |

< Back to previous page