News Release
No.
23-03
March 21, 2003
EU RESPONSE TO DEVELOPING SITUATION
IN IRAQ
The
European Commission met today to discuss the international situation relating
to Iraq. Particular attention
was paid to the
humanitarian aspects of the crisis. In this regard, the Commission decided
to make an immediate request to the budgetary authority (Council of Ministers
and European Parliament) to release EUR 79 million from the emergency budget reserve.
Combined with the
EUR 21 million yesterday, the immediate response to the impending humanitarian
crisis of
the Commission now totals EUR 100 million.
*
* *
Also
today, after an informal meeting in Brussels of the
European Council, the 15 EU member states issued a final communiqué containing
the following statement on the situation in Iraq:
“With
the beginning of the military conflict, we are faced with a new situation. Our
hope is that the conflict will end with the minimum loss of human life and suffering.
Our common challenges are:
“As
regards Iraq:
-
The EU is committed to the territorial integrity, the sovereignty, the political
stability and the full and effective disarmament of Iraq in all its territory,
as well as to the respect for the rights of the Iraqi people, including all persons
belonging to minorities.
-
We believe that the UN must continue to play a central role during and after the
current crisis. The UN system has a unique capacity and practical experience in
coordinating assistance in post-conflict States. The Security Council should give
the United Nations a strong mandate for this mission.
-
We urgently need to address the major humanitarian needs that will arise from
the conflict. The EU is committed to be actively involved in this field, in accordance
with established principles. We support the UN Secretary General’s proposal that
the humanitarian needs of the Iraqi people can continue to be met through the
“Oil for Food” program.
-
We want to effectively contribute to the conditions allowing all Iraqis to live
in freedom, dignity and prosperity under a representative government that will
be at peace with its neighbors and an active member of the international community.
The Council invites the Commission and the High Representative to explore the
means by which the EU might help the Iraqi people to achieve these objectives.
“On
the regional front:
-
We express solidarity with and stand ready to assist those countries that are
faced with problems and risks as a result of the conflict, including possible
refugee flows. The EU will actively engage in supporting regional stability.
-
We call on all countries of the region to refrain from actions that could lead
to further instability.
-
The countries of the region have also a particular responsibility to prevent acts
of terrorism.
-
We will continue to work actively towards the reinvigoration of the
Middle East Peace Process through the immediate publication and implementation
of the roadmap as endorsed by the Quartet.
-
We will deepen our dialogue and cooperation in all fields with the
Arab and the Islamic worlds. We hope that it will soon be possible to use
the considerable opportunities offered by the
Barcelona Process to good account.
“In
the international field:
-
We reiterate our commitment to the fundamental role of the United Nations in the
international system and to the primary responsibility of the Security Council
for the maintenance of international peace and stability.
-
We are determined to strengthen the capacity of the European Union in the context
of the CFSP (Common Foreign
and Security Policy) and the
ESDP (European Security and Defense Policy).
-
We remain convinced that we need to strengthen the
transatlantic partnership, which remains a fundamental strategic priority
for the European Union; to this effect, a sustained dialogue on the new regional
and global challenges is necessary.
-
We will continue to contribute to the further strengthening of the international
coalition against terrorism.
-
We will also intensify work for a comprehensive, coherent and effective multilateral
policy of the international community to prevent the proliferation of
weapons of mass destruction.
The
above objectives are interrelated and complementary. They should be pursued in
parallel, through coordinated action of all main international players. In this
spirit, the restoration of the unity of the international community is an absolute
imperative.”
Press Contacts: |
Willy Hélin
202-862-9530
|
Wilfried Schneider
202-862-9523
|
|
Maeve O'Beirne
202-862-9549
|
|
