EU humanitarian aid for Iraq

Following the Greek Presidency's statement on Iraq of 16 April 2003, the actions of the Greek Foreign Ministry aimed at providing the necessary humanitarian aid to the people of Iraq, and the letter he sent to the Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid, Poul Nielson, on 18 April 2003, Deputy Foreign Minister Andreas Loverdos made the following statement: "The issue of the responsibility of those under whose auspices the humanitarian aid will be sent and the related political problems must not be allowed to stand as an obstacle to the provision of that aid. It is high time for less politics and more humanity".

In his letter to Commissioner Nielson, Loverdos expresses - on behalf of the Greek Presidency - Greece's enormous interest in the progress of efforts being made for humanitarian aid to reach its final destination, the suffering people of Iraq, and particularly the vulnerable groups of the population, women and children, given the difficulties that have arisen due to the transitional situation in the country.

Loverdos reaffirms the Presidency's support for the efforts of the European Commission and appeals to the Humanitarian Aid Office (ECHO) to do everything necessary to ensure that the needs of the Iraqi people are met immediately.

He also reiterated the Presidency's commitment to guide and support the actions of the European Union in the direction of the objectives jointly set, always within the context of the central role of the United Nations.

From the outset, Greece has taken all the necessary measures and appropriate steps for the provision of aid to the victims of the humanitarian crisis in Iraq.

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• EU emergency medical aid to Iraq (22/4/2003)