EU offers Iraq support and partnership

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At the Sharm el Sheikh international conference on Iraq (22nd and 23rd November), the EU will be reaffirming its support for Iraq's transition to a stable, democratic future, and holding out the prospect of a deepening partnership. The European Commission will be represented at the Conference by Commissioner for External Relations and the European Neighbourhood Policy Benita Ferrero-Waldner. The EU will also be represented by High Representative Javier Solana, Foreign Minister Bernard Bot of the current Dutch Presidency, and the foreign ministers of numerous Member States. The European Commission's key objectives for the Conference are to underline the importance of inclusive and participatory elections in January, and to express readiness to support Iraq and its neighbours in developing a closer co operation between themselves, if they so wish.

Commissioner Ferrero Waldner said, on the eve of the conference: "As I take up my new responsibilities as Commissioner for External Relations and the European Neighbourhood Policy on the 22nd November, one of my first tasks is the European Union's support to the preparation of credible and truly competitive elections in Iraq. It is essential that polling take place in January, without postponement, and above that it should take place in all parts of the country. I hope that Iraqis of all religions and ethnic backgrounds will participate, because true freedom for Iraq will require leaders and voters from every quarter. The EU is playing its part in making this a reality".

Participants at the conference, which is hosted by Egypt, include representatives of Iraq's neighbours (Jordan, Turkey, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Syria, Iran), G8 members (US, Japan, Russia, Canada, UK, France, Italy, Germany,), China, Tunisia, Algeria), Malaysia, Bahrain), the Secretary general of the United Nations, the Secretary General of the League of Arab States, the Secretary General of the Organisation of the Islamic Conference and representatives of the European Union. A meeting of Iraq's neighbours is scheduled for the evening of Monday 22nd November. The full session of the conference will take place on Tuesday 23rd November, and will result in a communiqué.

The European Union has recently offered the Prime Minister of Iraq a comprehensive package, drawing together elements from the Community and its Member States. This package demonstrates the clear commitment of the EU to help Iraq build for a more peaceful and prosperous future.

Elections: The European Commission is providing over €30 million to support preparation of the elections by the Independent Electoral Commission, technical expertise, voter outreach particularly to women, media development and training of Iraqi election observers

Public services, jobs and democracy: The EU is helping to improve the living conditions for Iraqis by concentrating aid in these areas plus humanitarian relief. Since the war, €320 million has been allocated from the Community budget. A further €200 million is proposed for 2005. These figures are to be added to the contributions of individual Member States who pledged a total of €1.25 billion at the Madrid Donors Conference in 2003.

Rule of law: The EU is already engaged in dialogue with the Iraqi authorities to start planning for a possible mission to support police, rule of law, and civilian administration activities. An expert team will travel to Iraq by the end of November to continue preparation of this mission, which is expected to start after the January 2005 elections.

Trade: Iraq is entitled to benefit from the EU's Generalised System of Preferences, which offers trade advantages to developing countries. The European Commission is willing to work with the administration to help Iraq to take advantage of this offer.

Partnership: The EU wants to develop a partnership with Iraq that would cover both political and trade co operation. As relations with Iraq are progressively normalised, the EU intends to work towards a contractual agreement that would give full expression to such a partnership.

Debt: EU Member States are currently involved in negotiations on Iraq's debt with other members of the International Community.

UN Protection Force: The EU supports the UN's leading role in promoting the political process and reconstruction of Iraq. To support the UN in this, Member States are prepared to contributing substantially to the UN's security in Baghdad by financing the Middle Ring of the UN Protection Force, while the Commission is seeking ways to contribute to the civilian aspects of this protection force.

For more information:
http://europa.eu.int/comm/external_relations/iraq/intro/index.htm

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• Commission offers fresh support for the electoral process in Iraq (4/11/2004)