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Declaration by the Presidency on
behalf of the EU on the launching of the International
Compact with Iraq The European
Union warmly welcomes the launching of the International
Compact with Iraq in Sharm El Sheikh on 3 May 2007. It
reaffirms its strong support for the
democratically-elected Government of Iraq and the Iraqi
people in the challenging circumstances facing the
country, and for their efforts to bring peace, security,
stability and prosperity to an independent, unified,
democratic, federal and sovereign Iraq founded on the
principles of freedom and equality. It encourages the
Iraqi Government to continue its efforts to promote
national reconciliation, rule of law and restoration of
public order, and reiterates its support for these
efforts. It notes the responsibility of the
international community, and in particular the States in
the region, to support and promote these efforts.
It commends the Iraqi Government for the ambitious
commitments it has made in this Compact for promoting
reforms in political, security, economic and social
fields and underlines its appreciation for the
assistance by the UN to Iraq in the Compact process. The
implementation of these commitments will be central in
developing cooperation between Iraq and all its
international partners. Progress towards these targets
will help to further enhance the EU's engagement with
Iraq. The EU reaffirms its strong support for a central
role of the UN in Iraq.
The EU is ready to continue to develop a close
co-operation and partnership with Iraq in accordance
with the priorities indicated in the International
Compact and Iraq's National Development Strategy. Our
main objective is to help Iraq implement the ambitious
programme set out in the Compact and ensure that all
Iraqis can benefit from Iraq's resources. The EU
underlines the importance it attaches to Iraqi
leadership, ownership and inclusiveness of the Compact
process, and to the broad involvement of the
international community, including the active
participation of Iraq's neighbours and partners in the
region.
The EU warmly welcomes the opening of negotiations on a
Trade and Cooperation Agreement between the EU and Iraq
and looks forward to timely continuation of these
negotiations and the establishment of a close
contractual relationship.
With reference to the Compact priorities the EU intends
to:
Endorse a model of democratic government that overcomes
divisions by supporting initiatives to advance national
reconciliation, the constitutional review, the holding
of local elections and by providing capacity building
support to the Council of Representatives. Specific
attention will be paid to the promotion and protection
of human rights.
Contribute to strengthening the rule of law and to
promoting human rights inter alia through capacity
building initiatives such as the Integrated Rule of Law
Mission EUJUST LEX.
Establish contractual relations for the first time
through the negotiation of a Trade and Cooperation
Agreement.
Advance political dialogue with Iraq at all levels, in
continuation of the September 2005 political dialogue
Declaration between the EU and Iraq.
Deliver assistance on the basis of mutual commitments.
Continue support to the Iraqi people through assisting
Iraqi authorities in improving the delivery of basic
services, in alleviating their daily difficulties and in
enhancing human development.
Help strengthen administrative capacities through
promoting the development of an effective and
transparent administrative framework at central and
local levels.
Support economic integration of Iraq through the
negotiation and conclusion of a Trade and Cooperation
Agreement, the implementation of GSP preferences,
support for Iraqi WTO accession and targeted technical
assistance in areas related to economic recovery.
Support the establishment of a comprehensive approach
towards the dire situation of refugees in Iraq and in
the neighbouring regions, building on the outcome of the
International Conference in Geneva on 17/18 April 2007.
The overall financial assistance by the European
Community and EU Member States since 2003 has amounted
to 14.2 billion euros (including grants, debt relief and
loans). European financial assistance in 2007 is
anticipated to reach 1,8 billion euros (including
grants, debt relief and loans).
The EU looks forward to close cooperation with the Iraqi
Government and its international partners in advancing
the Government’s programme based on the commitments
made. |
