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12-12-2005, 01:14 PM
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EU to open office in Iraq 'soon'
The EU is planning to open an office in Baghdad's heavily fortified Green Zone as early as possible in 2006.
EU External Relations Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner said this would send a signal of Europe's "intention to become increasingly engaged in Iraq".
She added that the European Commission wanted member states to back talks on a trade and co-operation agreement.
The agreement would promote trade and stimulate Iraq's reintegration into the international community.
It would also extend EU co-operation with Iraq in areas such as human rights, anti-terrorism, energy, non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, the environment and customs issues.
Iraq's envoy to the EU, Jawad al-Doreky, said the opening of the office would send a message that Iraq was on the road to democracy.
Britain, as the current holder of the EU's rotating presidency, had wanted to send an EU mission to monitor Thursday's elections in Iraq, but the idea was ruled out for security reasons. The European Parliament is sending a small team of observers, but they will not have the powers of an official mission.
Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/europe/4521690.stm
Published: 2005/12/12 14:22:24 GMT
© BBC MMV
EU to open office in Iraq 'soon'
The EU is planning to open an office in Baghdad's heavily fortified Green Zone as early as possible in 2006.
EU External Relations Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner said this would send a signal of Europe's "intention to become increasingly engaged in Iraq".
She added that the European Commission wanted member states to back talks on a trade and co-operation agreement.
The agreement would promote trade and stimulate Iraq's reintegration into the international community.
It would also extend EU co-operation with Iraq in areas such as human rights, anti-terrorism, energy, non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, the environment and customs issues.
Iraq's envoy to the EU, Jawad al-Doreky, said the opening of the office would send a message that Iraq was on the road to democracy.
Britain, as the current holder of the EU's rotating presidency, had wanted to send an EU mission to monitor Thursday's elections in Iraq, but the idea was ruled out for security reasons. The European Parliament is sending a small team of observers, but they will not have the powers of an official mission.
Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/europe/4521690.stm
Published: 2005/12/12 14:22:24 GMT
© BBC MMV