EU foreign ministers, meeting in EU Council on Monday 15 July, called on Iraqis to take "ownership of the country's reforms and of the reconstruction process".
In their conclusions, ministers reaffirmed the EU's readiness to support the Government of Iraq in the implementation of its programme of political, social, economic and security sector reforms.
On 13 July, during a visit there, the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Federica Mogherini, discussed with Iraqi Foreign Minister Mohamad Ali Alhakim and Prime Minister Adil Abd Al-Mahdi, additional means that the EU could provide in particular for the stabilisation of the liberated regions, and more generally, how the EU could support the programme of reforms.
Since 2014, the EU has provided €1.2 billion in humanitarian, stabilisation, development, and security cooperation. The EU and Iraq have a Partnership and Cooperation Agreement, in force since August 2018.
In their conclusions, the heads of diplomacy focus on strengthening democratic and inclusive governance, fighting corruption, building institutional capacity, improving public services and the effective delivery of basic services, improving the business environment and creating the conditions for a more sustainable, diversified and green Iraqi economy. "Civilian security sector reform, upholding rule of law and ensuring effective control of the Iraqi state over all armed groups and full respect of human rights, is crucial for the future stability of Iraq",they add. Ministers also promise that the EU and Member States will continue their efforts, including in the framework of the Global Coalition against Da'esh, to support the authorities in addressing the continued terrorist threat, strengthening the justice sector and reforming the police.
The conclusions also addressed the judgment of Da’esh's members. "Progress in accountability with due process and respect for human rights for persons who have committed crimes in Iraq, including Foreign Terrorist Fighters, is a priority for the EU”, the EU Council recalls while reaffirming the EU's principled objection to the use of the death penalty. Several European citizens who are members of the Islamic State Organisation have been, or will be, tried in Iraq.
Europeans also welcome the dialogue on migration and stress the importance of working with the Iraqi authorities to strengthen cooperation and putting into practice their obligation on the return and readmission of own nationals in full respect of the rights, obligations and responsibilities of the parties arising from relevant International Law.
"Iraq is a country that has regained not only the status of a country to be helped, but also that of a country that can contribute to a positive regional dynamic", the High Representative summarised on her arrival at the ‘Foreign Affairs’ Council.
Thus, in a joint statement issued on the occasion of Ms Mogherini's visit to Baghdad, she and Iraqi Foreign Minister Mohamed Ali Alhakim reaffirmed their shared commitment to peace and stability in the wider Middle East and called for the de-escalation of the current tensions in the region.
See the conclusions: https://bit.ly/2YUnA4m and the joint statement: https://bit.ly/2Y2OJ8m (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)