President Barroso Meets Iraqi Prime Minister Al-Maliki

European Commission President, José Manuel Barroso, and Iraqi Prime Minister, Nouri Al-Maliki, met today to discuss enhanced cooperation between the European Union and Iraq.

"The Commission is firmly committed to doing all it can to help Iraq tackle the substantial challenges it is facing," said President Barroso. "We are keen to establish a new and lasting basis for cooperation with Iraq and the Iraqi people. The future Trade and Cooperation Agreement will enable us to embark on cooperation covering a wide range of areas. Energy in particular is a key element for Iraq's economic development, and the EU energy market - as the largest integrated market in the world – offers both sides major opportunities. Therefore we need to work on establishing a full energy partnership between the EU and Iraq, and hope to conclude a Memorandum of Understanding in the near future. Meanwhile the Commission will continue to play the fullest possible role in rebuilding a stable and prosperous Iraq."

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