Brussels, 09/06/2004 (Agence Europe) - In a declaration distributed in Sea Island where the European Commission President is taking part in the G8 Summit, Romano Prodi welcomed the adoption by the UN Security Council of a new resolution on transferring sovereignty to the Iraqis after 30 June. CFSP High Representative Javier Solana followed suit.
Resolution 1546, adopted by unanimity (and welcomed by UN Secretary General Kofi Annan), gives a detailed description of the different stages leading to the convening of elections by January 2005. The latest difficulty was over relations between the Iraqi authorities and the MNF, the Multi-National Force remaining in Iraq. The compromise finally accepted (which does not go as far as to give Iraq the right of veto as France would have liked) provides for cooperation between Iraqis and the multi-lateral force in military matters, mainly for "tricky operations". The resolution is "complete" and "balanced", Kofi Annan commented.
In his declaration, Romano Prodi stresses that Resolution 1546 "strengthens the role of the UN as a guarantor of the political and economic reconstruction of this country" and opens a new phase in which "Iraq will return to the hands of Iraqi people". Assuring that the EU will stay at the side of the Iraqis, supporting full reintegration of the country to the international community, Mr Prodi notes: "Now the Iraqi people have in front of them an enormous challenge: to bring stability to the country after a long and brutal dictatorship of Saddam Hussein - and after a violent conflict that has put an end to this era is such a divisive manner". (See page 8 for Chris Patten's press conference on the communication adopted by the Commission on the subject of developing EU/Iraq relations).
In a press release, Javier Solana recalls for his part that the European Union "has emphasised on a number of occasions its support for the reintegration of Iraq into the international community as a sovereign, independent and democratic country, at peace with itself and its neighbours, and with its territorial integrity preserved". The High Representative recognises that "the situation remains complex and security is still a serious concern. It is my sincere hope that the adoption of this Resolution will contribute to bring stability and prosperity to the Iraqi people".