News Release
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Romano Prodi |
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No.
22/03
March 20, 2003
EU PRESIDENCY AND COMMISSION REACT TO WAR IN
IRAQ
COMMISSION ALLOCATES $21 MILLION IN INITIAL HUMANITARIAN AID
Prime Minister Costas Simitis of
Greece, which currently holds the
EU Presidency, issued the following
statement concerning the opening of hostilities with Iraq:
“I
express my deep regret that it was not possible to find a peaceful solution to
the Iraq problem. I can
only hope that the hostilities end quickly so that loss of human life is kept
to a minimum, particularly among the civilian population. The Greek Presidency
will do its duty, as it did at the recent extraordinary
European Council. We shall again endeavor to express the will of the peoples
of Europe
for a common course characterized by peace and progress.
This evening we shall exchange views. Despite the differences of opinion and
difficulties, the Greek Presidency will strive to achieve common positions. Positions
which will allow Europeto have
a voice and intervene in further developments."
Romano Prodi,
President of the European Commission,
regretted the onslaught of war and said the Commission was committed to delivering
humanitarian aid. He also called for progress on the road-map for peace in the
Middle
East.
“This is a sad and somber day for all nations around the world. The onslaught
of war has put paid to the international community's efforts to find a peaceful
solution to the Iraq
crisis within the United Nations. Today we must all pray that the war will be
short and as bloodless as possible and that it will bring the least possible disruption
to the region. We trust that all involved will do their utmost to limit the number
of civilian casualties. Iraq's
territorial integrity must be preserved.
“The Commission is committed to delivering humanitarian aid quickly and effectively,
under international auspices, where it is most needed. The United Nations has
played an important role and it will continue to be crucial in the future. We
need to concentrate all our efforts, under the auspices of the UN, on finding
a solution that will bring a return to peace as soon as possible.
“Whatever the outcome of the war, there can be no denying this is a bad time for
the Common Foreign and Security Policy, for the European Union as a whole, for
the authority of the UN, for NATO and for
transatlantic relations. In war there are no winners, just losers.
“Today the leaders of the EU's nations will meet in Brussels
to discuss the situation. The Commission urges all Member States to strive to
build on what we share in our approach to the conflict now commencing. The Commission
has worked hard with the Presidency of the Union
to seek a common position and it will continue to do so.
“These difficult circumstances also show it is time to draw the lessons from this
crisis. Europe
can make an effective contribution to peace in the world only if its nations pull
together within the European Union. We all agree that we owe our wealth and prosperity
to the Union.
It is not in our interest to continue relying on others when it comes to defending
our values militarily.
“We must press forward with the Middle
East peace process too.
“We must proceed with the Road Map towards a two-State solution prepared several
months ago within the international Quartet. We must now ensure this brings the
implementation of these ideas urgently, not a protracted discussion on their validity
with the parties. Peace in the Middle East
is the key to stability throughout the region.”
For further information, please consult:
http://europa.eu.int/comm/world/iraqsit/
Poul
Nielson,
European Commissioner for
Development and
Humanitarian Aid has announced an initial
allocation of EUR 21 million in humanitarian aid. Commissioner Nielson
said:
"Our key objective is to dispatch aid as speedily as possible to the victims
of this crisis. Obviously, the exact scale and nature of the humanitarian needs
over the coming days and weeks are not yet clear but what we do know is that,
even in the best case scenario, a lot of people are going to need help. Our initial
efforts are focused on ensuring that basic relief items such as medical supplies,
tents, blankets and food are available for populations displaced as a result of
the fighting and for other vulnerable groups."
The
aid consists of re-directing EUR 15 million already allocated for Iraq in ECHO's
2003 budget plus EUR 6 million earmarked in two fast-track decisions currently
being prepared using the Commission's "primary emergency" procedure.
One of these decisions (EUR 3 million) will support emergency relief work inside
Iraq
while the second one (also EUR 3 million) focuses on operations designed to cope
with a potential flow of refugees into neighboring countries and/or to assist
in trans-border operations1.
The
funds are being channeled through ECHO, the Commission's Humanitarian Aid Office.
Its task is to provide assistance impartially to those most in need, in keeping
with basic humanitarian principles. As is usual in emerging crisis situations,
ECHO has been involved in extensive contingency planning.
Commissioner Nielson added: "We are working very closely with our operational
partners the UN relief agencies, the Red Cross/Crescent movement and a number
of experienced European Non-Governmental Organizations to ensure that the assistance
reaches those who need it most. Looking ahead, it is evident that flexibility
will be needed in responding to events and this has been built into ECHO's planning.
I am ready to make a substantial request for extra resources from the general
emergency reserve of the Community budget."
Commissioner Nielson urged the combatants "to do their utmost to limit
suffering among the civilian population and to ensure that humanitarian agencies
gain access to the victims of the fighting as speedily as possible."
He added: "It is essential not to encroach on the humanitarian 'space'
by muddling the roles, for instance, of soldiers and aid workers. It is also essential
in this crisis that the role and mandate of international organizations is respected
and they are put in a position to fulfill totally those mandates. We will support
this approach, including through appropriate financing."
Iraq
has faced a serious humanitarian situation even before the latest conflict, which
is why ECHO has been active in the country for more than a decade. Since 1992,
it has provided EUR 157 million for relief and emergency programmers, complementary
to the UN administered "Oil for Food" program. The focus of its EUR
13 million Global Plan for 2002 was on basic health and water/sanitation infrastructures,
with particular attention for the most vulnerable groups such as children, the
elderly and the disabled, and on a target population of about seven million people.
Further Information on ECHO activities can be found on the ECHO website at the
following address:
http://europa.eu.int/comm/echo/field/iraq/index_en.htm
1Further
details of these decisions will be released once they have been adopted.
Press Contacts: |
Willy Hélin
202-862-9530
|
Wilfried Schneider
202-862-9523
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|
Maeve O'Beirne
202-862-9549
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