14/10/2022 (Agence Europe) – High Representative of the Union Josep Borrell congratulated Abdul Latif Rashid on his election as President of the Republic of Iraq on Friday 14 October and Mohammed Al-Sudani on his appointment as Prime Minister-designate the previous day. “These are positive steps towards the long-awaited formation of the government one year after the October 2021 elections”, he said in a statement, adding that it was now “crucial” that Iraq quickly form a constitutionally mandated government fully empowered to implement urgently needed reforms. The High Representative also condemned the firing of rockets near the Iraqi parliament shortly before the presidential vote. “Violence has no place in the democratic process and disputes must be resolved peacefully through constructive dialogue within the constitutional framework”, he said. (CG)