News Release
Benita Ferrero-Waldner
No. 163/04
November 22, 2004
SHARM EL SHEIKH: THE EU OFFERS IRAQ SUPPORT AND PARTNERSHIP
At the Sharm el Sheikh international conference on Iraq
(22nd and 23rd November), the EU will be reaffirming its support for Iraq’s
transition to a stable, democratic future and holding out the prospect of a deepening
partnership. The European Commission will be represented at the Conference by
Commissioner for External
Relations and the European
Neighborhood Policy Benita
Ferrero-Waldner. The EU will also be represented by High Representative Javier
Solana, Foreign Minister Bernard Bot of the current Dutch
Presidency and the foreign ministers of numerous Member
States. The European Commission’s key objectives for the Conference are to
underline the importance of inclusive and participatory elections in January and
to express readiness to support Iraq and its neighbors in developing a closer
cooperation between themselves, if they so wish.
Commissioner Ferrero Waldner said, on the eve of the conference: “As I take
up my new responsibilities as Commissioner for External Relations and the European
Neighborhood Policy on the 22nd November, one of my first tasks is the European
Union’s support to the preparation of credible and truly competitive elections
in Iraq. It is essential that polling take place in January, without postponement,
and above that it should take place in all parts of the country. I hope that Iraqis
of all religions and ethnic backgrounds will participate, because true freedom
for Iraq will require leaders and voters from every quarter. The EU is playing
its part in making this a reality.”
Participants at the conference, which is hosted by Egypt, include representatives
of Iraq’s neighbors (Jordan, Turkey, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Syria, Iran),
G8 members (US, Japan, Russia, Canada, UK, France, Italy, Germany,), China, Tunisia,
Algeria), Malaysia, Bahrain), the Secretary General of the United Nations, the
Secretary General of the League of Arab States, the Secretary General of the Organization
of the Islamic Conference and representatives of the European Union. A meeting
of Iraq’s neighbors is scheduled for the evening of Monday 22nd November. The
full session of the conference will take place on Tuesday 23rd November and will
result in a communiqué.
The European Union has recently offered the Prime Minister of Iraq a comprehensive
package, drawing together elements from the Community and its Member States. This
package demonstrates the clear commitment of the EU to help Iraq build for a more
peaceful and prosperous future.
Elections: The European Commission is providing over €30 million
to support preparation of the elections by the Independent Electoral Commission,
technical expertise, voter outreach particularly to women, media development and
training of Iraqi election observers.
Public services, jobs and democracy: The EU is helping to improve the living
conditions for Iraqis by concentrating aid in these areas plus humanitarian relief.
Since the war, €320 million has been allocated from the Community budget. A further
€200 million is proposed for 2005. These figures are to be added to the contributions
of individual Member States who pledged a total of €1.25 billion at the Madrid
Donors Conference in 2003.
Rule of law: The EU is already engaged in dialogue with the Iraqi authorities
to start planning for a possible mission to support police, rule of law and civilian
administration activities. An expert team will travel to Iraq by the end of November
to continue preparation of this mission, which is expected to start after the
January 2005 elections.
Trade: Iraq is entitled to benefit from the EU’s Generalized
System of Preferences, which offers trade advantages to developing countries.
The European Commission is willing to work with the administration to help Iraq
to take advantage of this offer.
Partnership: The EU wants to develop a partnership with Iraq that would
cover both political and trade co operation. As relations with Iraq are progressively
normalized, the EU intends to work towards a contractual agreement that would
give full expression to such a partnership.
Debt: EU Member States are currently involved in negotiations on Iraq’s
debt with other members of the International Community.
UN Protection Force: The EU supports the UN’s
leading role in promoting the political process and reconstruction of Iraq. To
support the UN in this,
Member States are prepared to contributing substantially to the UN’s security
in Baghdad by financing the Middle Ring of the UN Protection Force, while the
Commission is seeking ways to contribute to the civilian aspects of this protection
force.
