Brussels, 12/12/2005 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission took two decisions on Monday which, according to External Relations Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner, send out a “strong signal” on the willingness of the European Union to increase commitments in Iraq to support the political transition process and also improve the daily lives of the Iraqi people. Thus:
1) the Commission proposes to launch negotiations on a Trade and Cooperation Agreement. The Commission has approved a draft mandate which has been submitted to the Council for adoption. The aim is to negotiate the agreement in 2006 with the first constitutionally elected Iraqi government, which is due to be set up after the legislative elections of 15 December. Ms Ferrero-Waldner explained to the press that the future agreement could cover trade in goods and services, investments and customs matters, the protection of intellectual property rights, public procurement and other sectors. The agreement will “in any case” include a clause on respect for human rights, on weapons of mass destruction and on combating terrorism. The Iraqi ambassador to the EU Mohammed Jawad Al-Doreky has also indicated that his government was interested in including a chapter on energy, focussed largely on the oil trade. The agreement should be compatible with the rules of the WTO and contribute to socio-economic development in Iraq, “improving living standards”, said Ms Ferrero-Waldner. It should also “guarantee a minimum level of foresight, transparency and legal certainty to economic operators”, she said. In a press release, Commissioner Peter Mandelson (trade) recalls that the EU has already granted Iraq preferential access to its markets and that it supports Iraq's accession to the WTO.
2) Ms Ferrero-Waldner and Ambassador Mohammed Jawad Al-Doreky on Monday also signed an agreement (known as an “accord de siege”) with a view to the launch of a Commission delegation in Baghdad “as soon as possible in 2006”. The delegation will comprise European diplomats sent to Iraq (the selection process is underway), and also local personnel. For obvious security reasons, it will be located in the American “green zone” of Baghdad, “at least in an initial phase”, explained Ms Ferrero-Waldner. According to the Iraqi Ambassador, this is a “strong signal to terrorists” whereby the threat of attacks does not prevent the international community from supporting the Iraqi government. “We will do everything possible to guarantee the security of the European diplomats”, he said.