Brussels, 17/06/2014 (Agence Europe) - On Monday 16 June, the Socialists and Democrats (S&D) in the European Parliament called on the European Union, Iraq and the United States to cooperate on fighting terrorism and sectarian violence in Iraq. “We strongly encourage the EU, the US and Iran to set aside their differences in other matters and to fully commit to cooperate with each other against the ISIS”, said the S&D spokesperson on foreign affairs, Ana Gomes (Portugal). The S&D stated that it had taken note of the offer made by President of Iran Hassan Rouhani of possible cooperation with the US in countering the ISIS threat. The US has said it is ready to discuss the Iraqi crisis with Iran. However Washington is ruling out military intervention. Discussions have apparently taken place between US and Iraqi representatives on the sidelines of the negotiations in Vienna on the Iranian nuclear issue.
Gomes stated that the ISIS advances in Iraq and Syria must be stopped and reversed by “a coalition of Iraqi, regional and global forces interested in safeguarding the stability of the region”.
While “stopping and reversing the gains of the extremists is the top priority now”, Gomes stated that the underlying reasons for the disaffection of many Iraqis of the Sunni branch of Islam should be addressed. “We should encourage the Iraqi government to abandon its narrowly sectarian outlook and adopt an inclusive, pluralistic approach that respects the ethnic, political and religious diversity of Iraqi society”, she said.
EU calls on international community to work together. Questioned about possible cooperation between the EU, Iran and the US on the Iraqi crisis, the spokesperson for High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton underlined that “the international community should work together to resolve the current crisis”. “All the parties that have influence must use it”, Ashton's spokesperson added.
Iraq was a subject of discussion at the EU-League of Arab States ministerial meeting on 11 June, and of the meeting between Ashton and US Secretary of State John Kerry on 13 June. It is also due to be on the agenda of the Foreign Affairs Council on 23 June. (CG)