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Members of European Parliament call for EU
to strengthen its presence in the Kurdistan Region
23.2.2006
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Press Release
Brussels, Feb 23 (KRG) – Following a five-day
visit to the Kurdistan Region, MEPs Simon Coveney
and Andre Brie asked the European Commission to open
their Iraq office in the secure and stable Kurdistan
Region. The MEPs also called for the European Union
to help the still suffering victims of the Halabja
chemical weapon attacks.
After visiting Erbil and Suleimaniah, Members of the
European Parliament Simon Coveney and Andre Brie
said, “contrasting with other parts of Iraq, we were
impressed with the security situation in Kurdistan,
the level of stability and also the socio-economic
progress within the region.”
They have asked the European Commission to open an
office in Erbil, where security concerns can be
addressed. This would be a positive signal that the
EU is serious about increased engagement with Iraq,
helping with monitoring projects promoting
democracy, capacity-building and training.
The MEPs added, “Erbil can be easily reached by
Iraqi politicians or civil servants who live in
other parts of the country.” At present, the
European Commission has one member of staff in
Baghdad’s Green Zone.
The MEPs met many government ministers, including
Deputy Prime Minister Sarkis Aghajan, as well as
civil society groups, journalists and political
party representatives.
The MEPs visited the city of Halabja, attacked with
chemical weapons by the Ba’ath government in 1988
killing 5,000 men, women and children. Survivors
told the MEPs of the many cases of lung damage,
gradual blindness, birth malformations and cancer in
the city. |
MEP Simon Coveney and Minister for Reconstruction
and Housing Nazanin Waso
MEPs Andre Brie and Simon Coveney with member of
Halabja Victims Society
Photo: KRG.ORG |
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Mr Brie said, “I found the visit very emotional.
Eighteen years after the event the European Union
has still not sent medical and other specialists to
Halabja.” The MEPs asked the EU to fund or create a
treatment or research program to help Halabjans cope
with their long-term health problems and to study
the effects of chemical weapons.
Mr Brie and Mr Coveney added, “The future of Iraq as
a whole is uncertain, but our visit confirmed that
in Northern Iraq there are many positive things
happening. The people there will be central to
bringing about a brighter and more peaceful future
for the region. We have a responsibility to assist
and support in this process. The Kurdish Regional
Government can be a real partner for progress if a
relationship with the EU is promoted and developed.”
www.krg.org
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