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Iraq: Commission proposes
negotiating mandate for a Trade and Cooperation
Agreement The European Commission
has proposed that the EU should start negotiations for a
Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) with Iraq in 2006.
Once the Council has approved the mandate, the
Commission will negotiate the Agreement with the first
constitutionally elected Iraqi government. Also,
Commissioner Ferrero-Waldner, on behalf of the
Commission, and Ambassador Mohamed El Doreky, on behalf
of the Iraqi government, has signed today an agreement
(“Accord de Siege”) to open a European Commission
Delegation office in Baghdad Benita
Ferrero-Waldner, European Commissioner for External
Relations and Neighbourhood Policy, said: “Iraq is at a
critical juncture. The two moves announced today send a
strong signal to the Iraqi population of Europe's
intention to become increasingly engaged in Iraq and to
continue playing a significant role in its transition.
Together they represent a real step change in relations
between the EU and Iraq as we progressively build up
political dialogue and lay foundations for a wider
relationship. The Iraqis are seeking a significant
partnership with the EU, and we intend to meet their
expectations.” Peter Mandelson said:
“Negotiations on the Trade and Cooperation Agreement
mark the beginning of a closer cooperation between the
EU and Iraq on trade and economic issues and will lead
to strengthened ties between us. The European Commission
has already granted Iraq preferential access to EU
markets and is supporting its bid to join the World
Trade Organisation, both of which are important in
assisting Iraq’s transition process and its
re-integration into the world trading system.”
By entering into contractual negotiations with Iraq,
the Commission 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 stabilisation process;
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Stimulate and anchor ongoing
institutional and socio-economic reforms at both
policy and operational levels, favouring an
inclusive reform mechanism at a crucial historical
moment for the country;
-
Contribute to the socio-economic
development of Iraq and to the improvement of living
conditions in the country;
-
Promote bilateral trade relations
in accordance with WTO principles based on the
expansion of harmonious economic relations between
the parties; and
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Ensure a minimum level of
predictability, transparency and legal certainty for
economic operators.
The objective of entering into
contractual relations with Iraq was set out in the
Commission Communication “The European Union and Iraq: a
strategy for engagement” of June 2004 . This strategy
envisages that the EU should put forward a framework for
progressively closer relations with Iraq at a pace
determined by the progress achieved in the political
process, including the approval of a Constitution, and
the holding of elections under that Constitution.
The Communication also foresaw the opening of a
Commission Delegation in Baghdad. The signing of the
Establishment Agreement is a further step towards this
goal and it is hoped that an office can open in Baghdad
soon.
Additional information at
http://europa.eu.int/comm/external_relations/iraq/intro/index.htm
Emma Udwin 02/29 59577
Concha Fernández de la Puente 02/29 52977
Peter Power 02/29 61777
Stephen Adams 02/29 63166 |
