Iraq: Speech in EP Plenary on behalf of the HR/VP Borrell on bilateral relations with the EU
European External Action Service (EEAS)
18.04.2023
Strasbourg
EEAS Press Team
Speech delivered by Commissioner for Budget and Administration, Johannes Hahn, on behalf of High-Representative/Vice-President Josep Borrell
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Madame chair, Honourable Members of the European Parliament,
20 years after toppling of Saddam Hussein's regime, aggravated by a difficult post-Da'esh period, Iraq advances on its path from conflict to stabilisation, development and prosperity.
Iraq's achievements are impressive, ranging from the territorial defeat of Da'esh, to active contribution to reconciliation efforts between Saudi Arabia and Iran, to holding free and fair elections in October 2021 - which some of the honourable Members of this European Parliament had the opportunity to observe.
Understandably, important challenges remain, including in the area of human rights. Today, the European Union has an ambition to do more in and with Iraq to support the positive momentum in the country and in the region.
After a year-long post-electoral political stalemate in Iraq, the European Union swiftly seized the opportunity to re-engage institutionally with the new government of Prime Minister [Mohammed Shia'] Al Sudani. The European Union supports his ambitious reform agenda and fight against corruption, as he tries to provide better services to all Iraqis. We certainly welcome his first successes at home, including progress on the budget and on the gas and oil issue between Baghdad and Erbil, and his tending of hand towards all neighbours.
On 19 March, after a seven-year pause, High Representative [Josep] Borrell succeeded in resuming the work of the EU-Iraq ministerial Cooperation Council together with Foreign Minister [Fuad Mohammed] Hussein, accompanied by an extensive ministerial delegation.
It was the first such meeting after the entry into force of the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement which was in 2018. This meeting helped to revive our dialogue on important regional and security issues and to set together a new ambition - through a Joint Declaration, on sustainable development, green transition, governance, regional connectivity and sustainable finance.
At the [EU-Iraq ministerial] Cooperation Council, we discussed openly more sensitive issues such as migration. In particular, we talked about returns and readmissions, including involuntary returns, protection and forced displacement, anti-trafficking or sustainable reintegration. The European Union welcomed Iraq's ban on flights to Belarus, still in force, which effectively stopped migratory flows orchestrated by Belarussian regime in summer 2021 along its borders with the European Union.
The European Union will continue to help Iraq in coping with the remnants of its tumultuous past, such as the reintegration of its still 1,1 million Internally Displaced People (IDPs), or the handling of the returnees from the Al-Hol camp in Northern Syria or addressing multiple challenges to its unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity.
We will remain active members of the anti-Daesh coalition. We will continue to support security sector reform in Iraq through the European Union Advisory Mission (EUAM IRAQ). We will also keep participating in regional de-escalation initiatives such as the Baghdad Conference process. And the newly established Sub-Committee on Development Cooperation will certainly improve coordination and dialogue on assistance.
Honourable Members,
I am aware of your considerations to strengthen inter-parliamentary cooperation, after a successful visit to Iraq earlier this year. I have no doubt that such dialogue could strengthen Iraq's democracy and promote deeper understanding between the European Union and Iraq.
Link to video: https://audiovisual.ec.europa.eu/en/video/I-239824
Closing remarks
Madam Chair, Honourable Members,
The EU-Iraq partnership is important for the stability and prosperity not only of Iraq, but also of the wider region. A [politically] stable and economically strong Iraq in this volatile region is of strategic importance for the [European] Union and for the wider Middle East. The [European] Union commends Iraqi efforts to foster regional dialogue and will continue to encourage all actors to engage constructively, in pursuit of regional cooperation and to fully respect Iraq's unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity.
We are determined to develop further our strong partnership with Iraq, especially in the current geopolitical context, following Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine. This includes both economic and political-security dimensions. In this regard, the [European] Union's strategic policy frameworks, such as REPowerEU, the European Green Deal and the Global Gateway offer additional opportunities for enhanced cooperation and investment in Iraq.
Therefore, we encourage bolstering EU-Iraq relations at all levels and in all formats. Therefore, we welcome the European Parliament's deliberations and outreach to strengthen inter-parliamentary relations with Iraq.
Link to video: https://audiovisual.ec.europa.eu/en/video/I-239826
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