Brussels, 10/09/2014 (Agence Europe) - During the evening of Tuesday 9 September, the European Union congratulated Iraq's Prime Minister Haider Al Abadi on “the formation of the new government and the presentation of a demanding programme”, and hoped that an agreement would be reached shortly on the completion of the government. The ministers for defence and domestic affairs - posts linked to Iraq's security - still need to be appointed. “We welcome the spirit of compromise and inclusiveness through which personal interests are put to one side for the sake of the future of the country and the preservation of its unity”, added High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton.
Recognising the enormous challenges that the new government faces at a moment “which is crucial” for the stability of the country and the region, the EU “sincerely” hoped that the whole government would work “effectively together to give inclusive responses to the many urgent needs of all the Iraqi citizens”. The EU pledges its full support in this endeavour.
Several European foreign affairs ministers have hailed the formation of this new government - which Laurent Fabius from France, Frank-Walter Steinmeier from Germany and Philip Hammond from the UK believe is “an important milestone”. “This is an important step on the path to meeting the great security, political and humanitarian challenges facing Iraq”, said Hammond. “The challenges to come are considerable. They require both that Iraq commits to a way that respects all the country's factions, and that the international community takes action alongside it”, said Fabius.
International conference on 15 September. Furthermore, France announced the organisation of an international conference in Paris on 15 September - a conference on peace and security in Iraq, which will be attended by Iraq's President Fouad Massoum. “It will bring together the international and regional partners that share this objective and contribute to achieving it”, said the French Presidency press release. “In anticipation of this conference”, France's President François Hollande will visit Iraq on 12 September, the press release adds (our translation throughout). (CG)