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News Releases
Left to Right: Iraqi Deputy Prime
Minister for Economic Affairs Barham Salih,
EU External Relations Commissioner Ferrero-Waldner, EU
Trade Commissioner Mandelson
No. 99/06
November 20, 2006
EUROPEAN UNION AND IRAQ LAUNCH NEGOTIATIONS FOR A
TRADE AND COOPERATION AGREEMENT
The European Commission and the
Iraqi government today
began negotiating an EU-Iraq Trade and Cooperation
Agreement which seeks to strengthen the
EU’s relations with Iraq progressively and integrate the country in
the world economy.
"This is an important moment in our relations with
Iraq," said EU
External Relations Commissioner
Benita
Ferrero-Waldner. "Through this agreement we will for the
first time establish contractual relations. This is a
natural step for the Commission, which has supported
substantially the Iraqi reconstruction and the political
process since 2003. Clearly, for this agreement to
achieve its full potential, a stable and secure
environment in Iraq will be necessary.”
Commissioner Ferrero-Waldner along with EU
Trade
Commissioner
Peter Mandelson represent the Commission in
the talks in Brussels with Barham Salih, Iraqi Deputy
Prime Minister for Economic Affairs.
"Establishing this framework for EU-Iraq trade relations
is a small part of Iraq's difficult road to stability,"
said Commissioner Mandelson. "Those committed to Iraq's
peaceful future must begin planning for it now."
This agreement aims to improve the trade arrangements
between Iraq and the EU, covering a wide range of
issues, including trade in goods, services, measures to
encourage investment, customs, intellectual and
industrial property rights and public procurement
rules. Cooperation could cover a number of key aspects
in the economic area, as well as in the human
development and poverty reduction field, environment,
culture and education. All agreements with third
countries now feature
human rights,
counterterrorism and
anti-WMD (weapons of mass destruction) aspects as
important elements.
By entering into negotiations for contractual relations
with Iraq, the EU aims to:
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Facilitate Iraq’s engagement with the international
community and with the EU in particular, to the benefit
of the internal and regional stabilization process.
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Stimulate and anchor ongoing institutional and
socio-economic reforms at both policy and operational
levels.
-
Contribute to the socio-economic development of Iraq and
to the improvement of living conditions in the country.
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Promote bilateral trade relations in accordance with WTO
principles.
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Ensure a minimum level of predictability, transparency
and legal certainty for economic operators.
During his visit, Deputy Prime Minister Salih will also
hold separate bilateral talks with Commissioners
Ferrero-Waldner and Mandelson. With Commissioner
Ferrero-Waldner, discussions are likely to focus on the
general political and security situation in the country
and Commission assistance to alleviate the situation for
the population as well as means to promote national
reconciliation. The meeting with Commissioner Mandelson
will be an occasion to share views on the long-term
bilateral trade relations between the EU and Iraq.
Background
Since 2003, the European Commission has contributed €720
million towards the reconstruction of Iraq with a focus
on assisting Iraqi people in accessing basic services,
furthering democracy and promoting good governance. In
2006, the Iraqi government has proposed that a Compact
be developed to build a new partnership between Iraq and
the international community. The Commission supports
this initiative, which should aim to promote political,
economic and social development in the country. Lately,
the Commission has also stepped up its presence in
Baghdad and has opened a
Delegation.
For more information:
http://www.eurunion.org/newsweb/HotTopics/Iraq.htm
Further Contact Information
Press and Public Diplomacy
Delegation of the European Commission
2300 M Street, NW
Washington, DC 20037
http://www.eurunion.org/PressRoom
Tel: 202-862-9552
Fax: 202-429-1766
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