EU Presidency Statement - Iraq and Kuwait

Mr. President,

I have the honor 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,

Further to its statement of 18 February 2003, the EU wishes to re-affirm her continuing deep concern over the situation in Iraq. The way the unfolding of the situation in Iraq will be handled will have an important impact, in the next decades, on world affairs and the international relations system. In particular, we are determined to deal effectively with the threat of proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.

The extraordinary meeting of the European Council of 17 February 2003 is a testament in this regard. Its conclusions, together with the conclusions of the ministerial meeting of 27 January and the terms of the public demarche of 4 February 2003 to Iraq, which remain valid, contain our common positions formulated in order to deal with this grave situation.

The EU's objective remains full and effective disarmament of Iraq from weapons of mass destruction in accordance with the relevant UNSC resolutions, in particular resolution 1441. We want to achieve this disarmament 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.

We are committed to the United Nations remaining at the centre of the international order. We recognize the central role and the primary responsibility of the Security Council in dealing with the Iraqi disarmament. We pledge our full support to the Council in discharging its responsibilities.

The EU reiterates its full support for the ongoing work of the UN inspectors. We appreciate their work and in this regard take note of their latest report. They must be given the time and resources that the UN Security Council believes they need. However, inspections are not an endless process and cannot continue indefinitely in the absence of full Iraqi cooperation.

Baghdad should have no illusions. Iraq has to comply with the demands of the Security Council and seize this last opportunity afforded to it. They have to immediately, fully, actively and unconditionally cooperate with the inspectors, including providing them with all the additional and specific information on the issues that have been raised in the inspectors' reports.

Baghdad 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 and the work done so far. These factors will remain essential if we are to achieve the full cooperation we seek.

In the regional context, the European Union reiterates its firm belief in the need to reinvigorate the peace process in the Middle East and to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. We continue to support publication and early implementation of the roadmap endorsed by the Quartet. Terror and violence must end. Settlement activity is a major impediment to the reinvigoration of the Peace Process and as such it must be immediately stopped. Palestinian reforms must be speeded up and, in this respect, President Arafat's announcement to 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 recognizes the international efforts undertaken to solve the crisis; it works closely with its partners in the region to bring home to Saddam Hussein the need for full compliance with Resolution 1441.

The EU is committed to working with all our partners, especially the United States, for effectively dealing with the threat of the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, 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)