EU-Iraq: an agreement for stronger partnership and cooperation at all levels

Parliament approves the EU-Iraq Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA) and a Resolution to accompany the text.

"This is the first ever agreement between the EU and Iraq - not just in the trading field, but also in many others - with the aim of consolidating relations between the two", said the Rapporteur on both Reports, Mario Mauro MEP.

In the light of the signature of this PCA by all Member States last May, after a three-year negotiation, the rapporteur highlighted the issues that still need to be addressed by Iraq - with enhanced EU support in the framework of the new Agreement - in its approach to democracy and the rule of law. On the other hand, he also acknowledged the efforts made by the country, which have led to some significant progress.

"It is true that Iraq has made great strides when it comes to its economy, but we have to get the regulatory framework up to standard in the economic and energy sectors, and more generally in the context of international contracts. This Agreement represents an important milestone in this regard, but the road is still long and I think that the EU should live up to its political ambitions", said Mario Mauro MEP.

The Agreement includes: organised cooperation activities concerning sanitation, education, the fight against poverty, promotion of transparency and an efficient governance. The basic principles of the OMC (of which Iraq is not a member) are the fight against weapons of mass destruction, against terrorism and drugs trading, and the protection of rights and fundamental liberties (especially of the ethnic and religious minorities).

"As for the Resolution, I want to emphasise that in the case of the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement, which is a commercial agreement between Iraq and the EU, we did not compose a text intended to be in favour of or against Iraqi politics in recent years. If our goal is to effectively promote the principles of democracy and freedom, I think the best way is to be open to dialogue and this Agreement should be a tool to engage in dialogue with Iraq", said Mr Mauro.

The Resolution calls for particular attention to be paid to human rights and women's participation in the post-conflict reconstruction process and at the highest levels of political and economic life; urges the Iraqi authorities to take the measures required to develop a civil society which can play a full part in the political process and to encourage an independent, pluralist and professional media sector.

"The extremely delicate phase in which millions of Iraqis find themselves must remind the EU of its obligations: it cannot be exempt from having a major role in providing the necessary support to the Iraqi authorities to cope with the difficult reconstruction and development of the country. The security and stability of Iraq, as well as overcoming the humanitarian emergency and the protection of fundamental freedoms, are ambitious targets to meet through this type of Agreement", he concluded.