Council conclusions on Iraq

The Council adopted the following conclusions :

The Council encourages the swift formation of the Iraqi transitional government as an important further step in the process of Iraq's political transition under Resolution 1546. The Council reiterates its willingness to work with the transitional National Assembly and the Iraqi transitional government. In this connection, the Council congratulates Mr Jalal Talabani on his inauguration as President of Iraq and Mr. Hajim al-Hassani on his election as President of the transitional National Assembly.

The Council reaffirms the EU's willingness to continue implementation of the full assistance programme it presented to Iraq on 5 November 2004 and in its conclusions of 21 February 2005 in order to achieve the objective of a safe, stable, unified, prosperous and democratic Iraq that upholds human rights, fully exercises its sovereignty and cooperates constructively with its neighbours and with the international community. The Council expresses its satisfaction at the progress made by the Commission in implementing that full assistance programme and its support for the next stages of discussions with the Iraqi authorities. The Council would also recall the willingness of the Commission and the Member States, if asked by the Iraqis, to provide support for the constitutional process in accordance with Resolution 1546 and in full coordination with the UN. It supports and encourages the Iraqi authorities in pursuing the full involvement of all sections of Iraqi society in the constitutional process and in promoting genuine national dialogue.

In this connection, the Council also reaffirms its willingness to set up with the Iraqi transitional government a political dialogue on areas of mutual interest and to develop for this purpose contacts between the European Union and Iraq, including at ministerial level. Depending on political developments in Iraq, a visit by the Troika to the elected transitional government may help deepen relations between the EU and Iraq with a view to establishing a regular political dialogue.

The Council reiterates the European Union's commitment to contribute to the economic, social and political reconstruction of Iraq and its support for the UN's activities. It reaffirms that it is prepared to organise, together with the United States, in close collaboration with Iraq and the UN, and should the new Iraqi government so request, an international conference to foster, enhance and coordinate the international community's support for Iraq during the transitional period, as announced at the EU-United States summit meeting in Brussels on 22 February 2005.

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• GAERC Conclusions on Iraq (18/7/2005)
• EU Parliament - UN force should replace foreign troops in Iraq  (15/6/2005)
• EUHR Solana remarks on first EU Ministerial Troika visit to Iraq (9/6/2005)
• EUHR Solana condemns upsurge in violence in Iraq (4/5/2005)