Brussels, 23/12/2003 (Agence Europe) - The Commission has decided to release two further contributions to the rebuilding of Iraq, totalling EUR 11 million, as part of the multilateral framework for Iraqi reconstruction. Commissioner Chris Patten commented that this delivers on the EU's commitment to strengthen the multilateral framework for reconstruction to help prepare for an orderly handover of power to an Iraqi transitional administration on 1 July 2004.
A press release notes that the aid includes EUR 8 million from the EU's Rapid Reaction Mechanism in response to the agreement to launch the International Reconstruction Fund Facility for Iraq to promote the political and social stabilisation of the country. UN-led operations will receive EUR 5 million of this and World Bank operations EUR 3 million. A further EUR 3 million is being provided from the European Initiative for Democracy and Human Rights budget to support UN efforts to restore institutions for representative governance, a "dynamic" Iraqi civil society and the promote the media, rule of law and human rights.