Brussels, 24/07/2008 (Agence Europe) - The EU takes the view that it is no longer a matter of encouraging the hosting of Iraqi refugees on European soil but rather of promoting their return to Iraq. This, in essence, is what the EU home ministers stated on Thursday 24 July at a meeting of the Justice and Home Affairs Council in Brussels. On the basis of a German initiative, the ministers adopted conclusions whereby they reaffirm that the “main objective” is to create conditions for the safe return of displaced persons within Iraq and those that have taken refuge in neighbouring countries. Ministers also point out that the Iraqi government is under an obligation to protect Iraqis displaced within that country and in neighbouring countries, by ensuring their security in particular. Although it is a fact that some EU member states (France, Germany and Sweden) have already taken Iraqi refugees in, especially within the framework of their resettlement programmes, ministers refused to request that Union countries make this practice more generalised. The Council had earlier foreseen inviting other EU member states to envisage this kind of resettlement, on a voluntary basis, and depending on their capacity to host refugees. It was also foreseen that European countries should be invited to inform the European Commission of the number of persons likely to be hosted on their soil. However, because of topical events, these two elements have been removed from the conclusions. Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki recalled during a recent visit to Berlin that his aim was to get Iraqis back to their homeland. Citing Mr Al-Maliki, the German minster of the interior, Wolfgang Schäuble, considered the German initiative was “counter-productive”. The German minister went on to point out, however, that the security situation in Iraq is “not without problems”. In this context, Germany even almost withdrew its draft conclusions. The ministers nonetheless agreed to continue their approach with the Iraqi authorities as well as with the HCR in order to find “the most adequate forms of solidarity” towards all Iraqis. French Immigration Minister Brice Hortefeux said the Council would look at this issue again during its September session in order to try and set a joint approach in place with regards resettlement. Ministers finally point out that part of the European Fund for Refugees (2008-2013), which amounts to €628 million, is available. About 4.7 million Iraqis have been displaced, including 2.7 million within the country itself and some 2 million in neighbouring countries such as Jordan and Syria. (B.C./transl.jl)