Brussels, 02/09/2003 (Agence Europe) - A preparatory meeting for the International Iraq Donors' Conference, scheduled for 24 October in Madrid, will be held this Wednesday in Brussels, to complete the needs assessment (see EUROPE of 28 August, p.3, on declarations by President of EU Council, Franco Frattini). The issue will be discussed by the EU Foreign Ministers at their "Gymnich"-type meeting in Riva del Garda next weekend (see p.5).
A European Commission spokesperson said on Tuesday that stock had already been taken of the situation, and specified that the EU had taken part in assessment missions on health, education, employment, civil society and media, and there were outstanding assessments to be made on networks and water.