Date of release : 21-02-2005

Policy area : General Affairs and External Relations

Event : General Affairs and External Relations Council

In the context of the General Affairs and External Relations Council of the European Union, meeting in Brussels on 21 February 2005, Jean Asselborn, the Luxembourg Minister for Foreign Affairs and current President of the Council of the European Union, expressed his opinion on the situation in Iraq.

Jean Asselborn said that the Ministers for Foreign Affairs had "addressed the question of how the European Union could offer the most effective possible assistance to the people of Iraq." The Minister further stated that "the Member States have reached a political agreement in favour of launching an integrated European mission for the rule of law." According to the Minister, "the European Union is prepared to offer integrated education in the areas of managment and criminal investigation to high government officials and employees from the judicial and police sectors as well as in the prison administration."

Regarding the political situation in Iraq, Jean Asselborn added that "for the next steps in the political process in Iraq, the Ministers emphasised the importance of the full involvement of all the constituents of Iraqi society in the process. The Commission and some Member States have already announced their intention of lending, if asked by Iraq, their support to the constitutional process, and this in full cooperation with the UN."

Finally, Jean Asselborn stated that "the European Union is engaged in work with the Transitional National Assembly and the transitional government of Iraq that will be formed in the coming weeks."