Brussels, 10/11/2009 (Agence Europe) - On Tuesday 10 November, the European Parliament delegation for relations with Iraq discussed the need for, and risks involved in, sending a team of observers to Iraq's general elections in January of next year, even though, many speakers said, security, while still fragile, has improved. The head of the Parliamentary delegation, UK Conservative Struan Stevenson reported on a recent trip to Jordan where the Commission representation is, he said, giving consideration to conditions under which there could be a European presence. Speaking on behalf of the European Commission, Patricia Llombart-Cussac said that it could not be an observation mission, and she highlighted the difficulties of ensuring the security of European envoys, officials and MEPs. “No logistical aid can be provided” on the ground, she stated. She said, however, that the Commission was planning to send experts in electoral organisation. Llombart-Cussac painted the broad picture of the situation which, she said, was one of relative improvement although much remained still to be done on security, political and economic structuring and, above all, setting up a basis for political consensus that would allow all the various partisan and ethnic groups to work together to rebuild the country, which has great economic and energy potential. She also highlighted how important it was that the Iraqi refugee situation be resolved quickly, so as not to repeat the experiences of the Palestinian camps. The aim was to encourage all those who had left the country to return to Iraq, she said in substance. (F.B./transl.rt)