EXTERNAL RELATIONS COMMISSIONER BENITA FERRERO-WALDNER AND HIGH REPRESENTATIVE JAVIER SOLANA ATTEND ENLARGED MEETING OF THE IRAQ

NEIGHBOURING COUNTRIES CONFERENCE IN SHARM EL SHEIKH (2-4 MARCH 2007)

European Commissioner for External Relations and Neighbourhood Policy, Benita FerreroWaldner, and High Representative of the Common Foreign and Security Policy, Javier Solana, will visit Egypt to attend the Enlarged Meeting of the Iraq Neighbouring Countries Conference, which will be held in Sharm El Sheikh from 2-4 May 2007. Both Commissioner Ferrero-Waldner and High Representative Solana will arrive in Egypt on Thursday, 3 May. In addition to participating in the conference, they will hold bilateral meetings with key players in the region. The EU is an active supporter of Iraq. The European Commission has allocated 720 million to assist Iraqi humanitarian and reconstruction efforts since 2003. The main focus has been to support basic services; to support the political process, including the various elections, as well as to help Iraqi efforts to build capacities. The European Commission further opened negotiations for a Trade and Cooperation Agreement with Iraq, which will pave the way for establishing contractual relations with Iraq and help Iraq's engagement with the International Community. The European Commission is a major provider of humanitarian aid. In 2006, it allocated 10 million to the UN for the internally displaced Iraqis. In February 2007, the Commission announced an additional allocation of 10.2 million for internally and externally displaced Iraqis. 6.2 million will be for the Iraqi refugees who have fled to neighbouring countries, such as Syria, Jordan and Lebanon, while around 4 million will be for internally displaced people within Iraq. In the area of rule of law and human rights, the European Commission established the Integrated Rule of Law Mission, whose objective is to provide training for high and middle level officials in senior management and criminal investigation. Over 1,000 Iraqi senior officials from the police, judiciary and penitentiary have been trained in the EU. The European Commission will continue supporting Iraq, the Iraqi people and the Iraqi administration. The Commission has made available some 200 million to assist Iraq from 2007 to 2010. Assistance will include: continued support to basic services; capacity building to the Iraqi administration; support to the political process; energy co-operation and humanitarian support. ENDS
Contact: Germaine Demian Press and Information Officer Delegation of the European Commission in Egypt Tel: 749 46 80 germaine.demian@cec.eu.int http://www.eu-delegation.org.eg

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