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EU: Mission welcomes the International
Conference on Iraq
21.6.2005
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Kurdistan Regional
Government (KRG) EU - Mission welcomes the
International Conference on Iraq
The Kurdistan Government Mission to the EU welcomes
the Conference on Iraq, to be held in Brussels on 21
and 22 June 2005. This international event,
co-organised by the European Union and the United
States, with the participation of delegations from
80 countries and international organisations, will
give the opportunity to the new federal republic of
Iraq to enter the international arena and
demonstrate that Iraq has embarked on a new era.
The Kurdistan Government expresses its appreciation
for the request that came from the Iraqi federal
government to the EU and the US to organise such an
event. The active involvement of Baghdad and the
Kurdistan Government demonstrates their maturity and
farsightedness. With the fall of Saddam Hussein and
the country 's new institutional balance still
fragile, many issues have to be tackled in order to
fully achieve the kind of stability that will allow
the country to start afresh and its people to live
their lives in peace.
It will not be an easy task but not impossible
either. If all the interested parties want to
achieve a compromise, this can be achieved. The
Kurdistan Government is ready and willing to do so.
It has already demonstrated its commitment to doing
this, both in Baghdad by consciously participating
into the Interim Government and in the Constituional
Committee - and in Erbil, the capital of the
Kurdistan Region and the seat of the Kurdistan
Parliament and Government.
The International Conference will focus on three of
the most sensitive issues (as outlined in the UN
Security Council Resolution 1546) that concern Iraq:
- Political Process
- Economic Challenges and Reconstruction
- Public Order and Rule of Law
What the Kurdistan delegation will bring forward is
a clear and positive position that outlines the
Kurdistan Government's contribution to the new Iraq.
The Kurdistan Government will confirm its commitment
to being part of a unified, democratic and federal
Iraq - as already stated in the Transitional
Administrative Law (TAL) and accepted by the
Constitutional Committee.
Erbil believes that a federal structure will assure
peace and stability to Iraq and in the whole
Middle-East region. Recognition and unity in
federalism will be key to overcoming Iraq's bloody
past and establishing a peaceful and fruitful
coexistence of the nationalities within Iraq and the
various religious communities. As Mr Massoud Barzani,
President of the Kurdistan Region, said in his
speech at his inauguration ceremony this month:
"It is time now to rebuild a new Iraq on the basis
of federalism, democracy, pluralism, in which the
rule of law is supreme. The new Iraq should be based
on voluntary coexistence between the two main
nationalities, Kurds and Arabs. [...] Security and
stability must prevail in Iraq. The safety, dignity,
and property of all Iraqis must be protected. Iraq
should occupy its proper place in the international
community. We fully support all efforts conducive to
this end, and stand by any government committed to
these goals."
Kurdistan must be key factor in the great effort
that will be put in the next months and years
towards the reconstruction of Iraq. President
Barzani has reminded the world that Kurdistan's
infrastructure, which was totally destroyed by the
previous Iraqi regimes, should be rebuilt. Road
communications should be built in a modern way along
with new communication systems including post and
telecommunications. As for water and electricity
[...] shortages and deficiencies should quickly be
dealt with.
There also should be schools and healthcare
facilities in all villages in nearby and remote
areas, and healthcare in Kurdistan should be
improved to international standards. Revitalising
the economy will be vital for the region and the aid
of the international community will be necessary.
The Kurdistan Government -as affirmed by President
Barzani- will assure its full co-operation both with
the federal government in Baghdad and with the
international donors and investors. Kurdistan’s
economy should be based on free market principles
and the furthering of private and joint ventures.
The government should offer all forms of assistance
in this regard including facilitation and other
support.
Exploiting the natural resources that the rich and
prosperous country offers will not be sufficient and
the economy should be diversified. It will be
therefore important to develop tourism, agriculture
and, above all, rebuild an industrial structure.
KRG-EU Mission
221, rue de la Loi
B-1040 Bruxelles, Belgium
T +32 2 513 72 28
F +32 2 513 36 79
krg.eu@skynet.be
www.krg.org
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