Brussels, 27/01/2003 (Agence Europe) - While stressing that the next few days would be critical, the President of the EU Council, George Papandreou reasserted on Monday in Brussels that the Fifteen were strongly committed to finding a peaceful solution to the Iraq crisis. The President informed the press that they had a "common position" and that the Fifteen had adopted conclusions for continuing inspections in Iraq (see below). He also added that, "We are going to follow the Security Council closely", welcoming the holding of a meeting that same morning with a "very satisfactory co-ordination meeting" between the Greek Presidency and the four Member States belonging to the Security Council. This was a "first, he added, observing that this co-ordination of positions in the perspective of discussions in an international organisation also responded to one of the aspirations of the European Convention.
At the end of Monday morning, to general surprise, the Greek Presidency sent out a paper with conclusions adopted before lunch in which the Fifteen had discussed a number of sensitive cases, particularly that of Iraq. This document received the full support of four Member States (France, the United Kingdom, Germany and Spain), which are current members of the United Nations Security Council. It was drafted to create the impression of cohesion and had carefully avoided any references to a second Security Council resolution before the start of any military intervention. The integral text now follows: "The Council, deeply concerned about the situation in Iraq, reaffirms that its goal remains the effective and complete disarmament of Iraq's weapons of mass destruction. The Council fully supports the efforts of the UN to ensure full and immediate compliance by Iraq with all relevant resolutions of the Security Council, in particular with UNSCR 1441 of 8 November 2002. The resolution gives an unambiguous message that the Iraqi government has a final opportunity to resolve the crisis peacefully. The Council therefore urges the Iraqi authorities to engage in full and active cooperation with UNMOVIC and IAEA. The Iraqi authorities must, as an imperative, provide the inspectors, without delay, with all additional and complete information on questions raised by the international community. The Council expresses its appreciation for the work accomplished by the inspectors so far and reiterates its confidence and full support for Dr. Blix and Dr. El Baradei to complete their mission in accordance with UNSCR 1441. It welcomes their intention to continue and intensify their operations. The Council recalls that its stands ready to engage all necessary efforts to answer the needs of UNMOVIC and IAEA in personnel and practical means. The Council underlines the fundamental importance of preventing the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction in accordance with the relevant international instruments. The Security Council has a key role to play in Therese endeavours. The Council reaffirms the role o the UNSC in the implementation of UNSCR 1441. The responsibility of the UNSCR in maintaining international peace and security must be respected".
The Spanish Minister of Foreign Affairs, Anna Palacio was the first to welcome this agreement to the press. Her German counterpart, Joschka Fischer described it as a "very good agreement" and that the "inspectors were the best tool for achieving disarmament" and that they "must have the time they need". French Minister Dominique de Villepin pointed out that "Resolution 1441 did not contain a cut-off date" and welcomed the "common line", which translates as an assertion of choice, "as long as the inspectors are able to obtain additional information, it should be continued". Mr de Villepin stressed that they were in a co-operative stage and nothing would justify changing this position for the present.