Brussels, 20/11/2006 (Agence Europe) - Commissioners Benita Ferrero-Waldner (External Relations) and Peter Mandelson (Trade), and the Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister responsible for economic affairs, Barham Salih, opened talks in Brussels on Monday with a view to concluding a trade and cooperation agreement (TCA) between the EU and Iraq, in order to provide a contractual framework for bilateral trade and investment relations based on the Most Favoured Nation (MFN) principle. The TCA will cover not only trade in goods, but also include provisions on trade and investment conditions in areas such as services, capital movements and intellectual property, as well as rules for public procurement and trade facilitation (customs procedures). In addition to a number of key economic aspects, the TCA cooperation chapter will cover human development, poverty reduction, the environment, education and culture. The aim of the EU, which is opening contractual negotiations with Iraq for the very first time, is manifold. The TCA must above all contribute to enhancing Iraq's internal stabilisation process, the country's socio-economic development and its integration into the world economy. The TCA must also stimulate and anchor the institutional and socio-economic reforms currently being implemented in Iraq. Finally, while promoting bilateral trade relations in line with WTO principles and ensuring a minimum level of predictability, transparency and legal security for economic operators, it must facilitate Iraq's accession to the WTO. In this context, the Commission stresses, bilateral talks will be an effective way to train Iraqi negotiators. (eh)