Charlie O'Connor (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 273: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the contacts he has had with the new Government of Iraq; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23379/06]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The new Iraqi national unity Government was approved by Parliament on 20 May 2006, and the outstanding positions of Defence, the Interior and National Security were filled on 8 June. Iraq now has a sovereign and democratic Parliament and Government, mandated for four years. This is a very significant step in the rebuilding of a democratic Iraq following years of brutal dictatorship.

In order to underline the strong support of the European Union for the new Government, Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari was invited to meet with EU Foreign Ministers, including myself, during the General Affairs and External Relations Council in Luxembourg on 12 June. We had a good exchange of views on the situation in Iraq and on the prospects for the development of a new relationship between Iraq and the EU. The European Council, on 16 June, emphasised the readiness of the EU to renew its engagement with the Government and people of Iraq and looked forward to rapid and early political dialogue with the new Government.

The Government and our EU partners recognise the serious challenges facing the new national unity Government, and are committed to assisting it in its efforts to build security and prosperity for the Iraqi people. Our assistance will be based on the priorities established by the Iraqi Government. The recent opening of an office of the European Commission in Baghdad will enhance this cooperation.

Since 2003, the EU has provided over €700 million in Community support for the reconstruction of Iraq. In the coming year, the Union's contribution will include support for the national reconciliation and constitutional review process, in close cooperation with the UN. The EU will also continue its efforts to promote the rule of law and respect for human rights, including through the Integrated Rule of Law Mission for Iraq. I also expect that the EU will be in a position to launch the negotiation of a Trade and Cooperation Agreement with the new Iraqi Government in the near future.