Luxembourg, 24/06/2014 (Agence Europe) - On Monday 23 June, the EU foreign affairs ministers strongly condemned the attacks perpetrated by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) and other armed groups against Iraqi citizens, “which seek to derail the democratic process” in Iraq. They underlined their great concern at the rapid deterioration of the situation and at the latest reports of ISIL taking control of the border posts between Iraq and Syria and Jordan.
“A government of national unity must be constructed to fight against terrorism”, said France's Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius. Congratulating the Iraqis on holding elections to the Iraqi Council of Representatives, the EU foreign affairs ministers called for an “inclusive government, representative of the will of the Iraqi population, [to be] formed as a matter of urgency, so that it can address the challenges which Iraq faces”. “The EU calls on all the elected representatives to (…) treat the elections as an opportunity for national reconciliation and genuine dialogue”, the EU Foreign Affairs Council stated.
The EU ministers reiterated their support to the Iraqi authorities in their fight against terrorism. However, in the opinion of the EU ministers, the “the security response needs to be combined with a sustainable political solution by the government of Iraq involving all Iraqi leaders and communities in a spirit of national unity”. The Iraqi leaders and communities should put “their differences aside to jointly combat this threat and to restore security and the rule of law. Failure to do so will exacerbate the conflict and deepen the sectarian divide”, the EU Foreign Affairs Council warned.
The EU called on the Iraqi government to do everything possible to protect all civilians, ensure a response to the needs of the populations affected, provide essential services and facilitate the safe and unhindered passage for civilians fleeing the violence and safe access for humanitarian actors to all affected populations. “The EU will continue to closely monitor the situation on the ground and respond appropriately, including, with humanitarian assistance”, the EU ministers assured.
The EU also called on all regional actors to contribute to efforts to promote stability in Iraq and the region. (CG)