News Release

US President Bush Greets European Commission President Prodi
at G8 Plenary Meeting in Sea Island, Georgia, June 9.
Photo: Leslie Kossoff

No 97/04
June 10, 2004

EU COMMISSION WELCOMES THE UNSC RESOLUTION ON IRAQ

The European Commission welcomes the unanimous approval of the United Nations Security Council Resolution as an important contribution to efforts to end the crisis in Iraq.  

"The Resolution strengthens the role of the UN as a guarantor of the political and economic reconstruction of this country,” said the President of the [European] Commission, Romano Prodi at the G8 Summit on Sea Island in Georgia. 

According to him the process that is starting today will put an end to the military occupation. It will start a transitional phase during which the Iraqi people will be able to choose their own government and determine its composition. 

"Iraq will return to the hands of Iraqi people through a progressive transfer of power and an involvement of the UN," he said. "Now the Iraqi people have in front of them an enormous challenge: to bring stability to the country after a long and brutal dictatorship of Saddam Hussein - and after a violent conflict that has put an end to this era in such a divisive manner." 

He promised that the EU will stay at the side of the Iraqis, supporting the full reintegration of the country to the international community.

Press Contacts:

Anthony Gooch 202-862-9523

Maeve O'Beirne 202-862-9549

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