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The EU is moving steadily towards enhancement of its relationship with Iraq, in all spheres. Given Iraq’s important role in the region and potential as a trading partner, we clearly see the mutual benefits of developing ties between the EU and Iraq. The EU is committed to working with Iraq and international partners in order to bring about a secure, stable, unified, democratic and prosperous Iraq.
A major step forward is the EU-Iraq Partnership and Cooperation Agreement , currently under negotiations (launched in November 2006). This will be the first ever contractual agreement between the EU and Iraq and will facilitate further cooperation between the two partners in the medium to long-term, as well as support Iraq’s integration into the international economy. The draft Agreement also includes regular political dialogue. The last round was held on 25-27 May 2009 in Brussels. Good progress was made on most outstanding issues, leaving only a few of them open. The European Commission hopes to finalise negotiations this year.
As regards the political developments in Iraq, the Governorate CouncilElections in January 2009 marked the start of an important cycle of elections and referenda in the months ahead, with the recent vote on 25 July in the Iraqi Kurdistan Region and culminating in national legislative elections expected to be held in January 2010. It is our hope that continued active political involvement of the Iraqi people will help consolidate both the democratic process and national reconciliation. In January 2009 the European Commission deployed two electoral experts to Baghdad to monitor the Provincial Elections process and has recently done the same for the Regional Elections in the Iraqi Kurdistan Region (parliamentary and presidential). The EU will seek to provide further support to elections in Iraq.
The Commission is also continuing to provide financial support to Iraq. Since 2003, we have provided more than € 900 million in reconstruction and humanitarian assistance. The focus in the future will be on helping Iraq to better use its own resources, through capacity building activities. EC has played a crucial role in supporting Iraqi political process (€83.8m since 2004, mostly implemented through the UN), rule of law (€14 mio) and elections (in 2005 and to prepare the upcoming elections - €20m). We have also watched with concern the situation of refugees fromIraq and internally displaced persons within Iraq. So far total EC support to the refugee crisis has amounted to more than €140 million.
The EU is further seeking to facilitate Iraq’s own reform process and reintegration into the international community by supporting the International Compact with Iraq (ICI) and the Iraq’s neighbours process.
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