Brussels, 17/10/2003 (Agence Europe) - The European Council "welcomes the unanimous adoption" of the new United Nations Resolution on Iraq (yesterday's EUROPE, p.6). Its conclusions "confirm the EU determination and commitment to play a significant role in the political and economic reconstruction of Iraq, within the framework of the relevant UNSC resolutions". In this context, the European Council stressed the importance of an "adequate security environment", a "strong and vital UN role", a "realistic schedule for the handing over of political responsibility to the Iraqi people", and "the setting up of a transparent multilateral donor fund to channel support from the international community" (Ed. on which Commissioner Patten has always greatly insisted). The Community contribution to the rebuilding of Iraq will be EUR 200 million for 2003-2004.
Spanish Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar said he was highly pleased that the resolution had been adopted, and considered that, as France, Germany and Russia had agreement on the vote, they had "voted the legitimacy of an international presence in Iraq". French President Jacques Chirac, on the other hand, noted that "there has been and there are still differences of opinion". In his view, things have not developed as to substance but, given the worsening of the situation on the ground, it was necessary to avoid giving the image of a divided international community. It is for that reason, he said, that the resolution was voted for unanimously.