Bernard J. Durkan
Question:134 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the extent to which the European Union and the UN can assist with the ongoing situation in Iraq; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14792/04]
View answerWednesday, 19 May 2004
Questions (135)
Written answers
We believe that a strong and vital UN role is an essential element for the success of reconstruction efforts in Iraq. We are pleased that the Iraqi Governing Council has invited the UN to help with the transfer of sovereignty at the end of June and future national elections and that the Secretary General of the UN has accepted this invitation. We welcome the provisional ideas which the United Nations Secretary General's Special Adviser Lakhdar Brahimi has submitted as a basis for the formation of an interim Iraqi Government. We support the continuing efforts of the special adviser and his team. This political process is crucial. It aims at restoring Iraqi sovereignty and independence, preserving the country's unity and making the Iraqi people truly masters of their own destiny, with the political system of their own choice and control over their natural resources. While this process will not solve the security problems in itself, it will be a powerful contributing factor. The UN involvement in the process is also vital as it lends a strong sense of legitimacy to the process. We look forward to the UN playing a vital and growing role endorsed by the UN Security Council in the run-up to transition and beyond.
The European Council in October 2003 requested the High Representative and Commission to work on a medium-term strategy for the EU's relationship in Iraq. The recent spring European Council recalled this invitation and noted the European Union's determination to assist the Iraqi people. This strategy, which will give us a framework in which to fulfil this commitment is due to be presented to the European Council in June. The EU is of course already contributing substantially to reconstruction activities in Iraq.
On 23 and 24 October 2003 representatives from 73 countries and 20 international organisations met in Madrid to pledge their support for the reconstruction of Iraq. At the conference the European Union and its member states, including accession countries, pledged €700 million until the end of 2004. Of the EU pledge €200 million will come from the Commission's community budget. The EU and its member states will contribute to the International Reconstruction Fund Facility for Iraq, IRFFI, which is administered by the United Nations Development Programme, UNDP, on behalf of itself and participating UN agencies. The facility aims to help donors channel their resources and co-ordinate their support for reconstruction and development. These resources 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. In addition to support for reconstruction activities, €100 million has been provided by the European Commission to Iraq for humanitarian relief.