Brussels, 02/08/2012 (Agence Europe) - Trade and sectoral cooperation components of the partnership and cooperation agreement (PCA) signed between the EU and Iraq on 11 May 2012 came into force on Wednesday 1 August, pending ratification of the agreement as a whole. The key provisions of the agreement include cooperation in the areas of trade, investment, human rights and counter-terrorism, science and technology, energy and the environment. As part of the Agreement, the EU and Iraq have accepted World Trade Organisation (WTO) rules, which include granting each other “Most Favoured Nation” (MFN) status. The agreement, which will improve and clarify EU-Iraq trade agreements, also provides for regular political dialogue on bilateral, regional and global issues in areas where the EU and Iraq have a shared interest in working together. (CG/transl.rt)