Brussels, 23/11/2010 (Agence Europe) - The Foreign Affairs Council meeting on 22 November under the chairmanship of Catherine Ashton welcomed the agreement reached on 11 November 2010 on appointing the Iraqi prime minister and president, as well as the president and vice-presidents of the Iraqi parliament. “These encouraging first steps towards the formation of an inclusive new government in Iraq following the elections on 7 March mark an important moment in the country's ongoing democratic process”, the ministers affirm in their conclusions. The EU calls on Iraqi authorities to give the country as a matter of urgency “a stable and representative government, which is able to rededicate itself to the pursuit of national reconciliation”. Such a government is essential if the country is to raise all the challenges facing it, the ministers say. The EU encourages all political actors to play a constructive part in negotiation for forming the government. The EU is also deeply concerned by the recent attacks that have been deliberately aimed at places of civil gatherings, including in places of Christian and Muslim worship. “The EU condemns all incitement to and acts of violence including those motivated by religious and ethnic hatred”, it states. (H.B./transl.jl)