Press Releases

EU welcomes proposals by the Iraqi government on “national reconciliation”

EU delegation led by Austria visits Baghdad

The European Union welcomes proposals by Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Kamil al-Maliki on “national reconciliation”. The EU hopes that this process will result in a real reconciliation among the different peoples of Iraq, effectively stemming the daily violence in that country. The Union intends to continue its programme of support of the rule of law and the justice system in Iraq. It is also prepared to begin negotiations with Iraq on a trade and cooperation agreement.

This was confirmed by an EU delegation under the leadership of the Political Director in the Austrian Foreign Ministry, Thomas Mayr-Harting, on 24 and 25 June in Baghdad. The Political Directors of the Austrian Presidency of the EU, of the European Commission, of the EU Council Secretariat, and of the future Finnish Presidency of the EU met in the capital of Iraq with, among others, President Jalal Talabani, Prime Minister Nouri Kamil al-Maliki, the Minister for Human Rights, Wijdan Mikhail, and other leading representatives of the Iraqi government and the Iraqi Foreign Ministry as well as with the Head of the UN Mission for Iraq (UNAMI), Ambassador Ashraf Qazi.

In the framework of the discussions, the EU delegation also offered the Iraqi side additional expertise for the upcoming consultations on the revision of the Iraqi constitution. The Iraqi discussion partners welcomed this proposal. UNAMI chief Qazi and Human Rights Minister Mikhail also made reference in this context to the positive example of the discussions on human rights aspects of the Iraqi constitution held by the UN with the support of the Austrian Foreign Ministry from 6 to 9 June in Baden bei Vienna. More than 30 high-ranking representatives from groups from across the political spectrum participated in this “Iraqi Multiparty Dialogue”.

Ambassador Mayr-Hartin emphasised to the Iraqi side that the EU was prepared to provide its active support to the new Iraqi “National Unity Government” in its efforts towards political and economic reform. However, it was stated that the Union could not realistically increase its presence in Iraq itself until there was a significant improvement in the security situation in the country. During its EU Presidency, Austria is represented in Baghdad by Special Envoy Gudrun Harrer. The European Commission intends to send an ambassador to the Iraqi capital soon.