Brussels, 03/05/2004 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission is releasing €160 million to the International Reconstruction Fund Facility for Iraq. The money will be used to restore and strengthen the delivery of key public services, to improve livelihoods and to reduce poverty and to strengthen governance, human rights and civil society. This allocation is part of the €200 million pledged by the Commission at the Madrid International Donors conference for Iraq 2003-2004. Restoring and strengthening delivery of public service (€90 million): the key issues are education; health, increased provision of drinking water and access to sanitation. Livelihoods and poverty reduction (€60 million); strengthened governance, civil society, human rights (€10 million). External Relations Commissioner, Chris Patten, said: "Although the security situation continues to impose limits on all those who want to help with the reconstruction of Iraq, the European Union is determined to play its part in building a better future for the Iraqi people. Our priorities are to build democracy, to deliver decent public services, and help to create jobs".