Europe has welcomed a US handover of sovereignty to an Iraqi government two days ahead of schedule.
The Dublin EU presidency reaffirmed “the objective… of a secure, stable, unified, prosperous and democratic Iraq”.
Irish foreign minister Brian Cowen welcomed the new interim Iraqi Ayad Allawi’s pledge that elections would be held in January 2005.
“I wish the new government every success in their mission to govern Iraq to the stage where free and fair elections can take place and offer the EU's full and sustained support,” he said.
The transfer of power, which comes 48 hours before a June 30 deadline, follows a UN resolution but is overshadowed by continuing insurgency.
“I condemn the campaign of terrorist violence in Iraq which is prolonging the suffering of the Iraqi people by impeding political progress and economic reconstruction,” said Cowen.
The European Commission is hoping that “future generations of Iraqis will be able to look back at this day and see it as a moment when they were united”.
“The EU… stands united in its desire to assist the Iraqi people as they determine the future of their nation,” said a statement.
But, notes Brussels, against a background of violence “the handover of authority to the interim government is only the first step in a much longer process”.
“Many challenges will need to be overcome before Iraq can truly call itself a free and democratic state,” said the statement.
“Not least among these is the security climate which has so hampered multilateral efforts to deliver much needed humanitarian aid and to launch the reconstruction process.”
EU officials have committed €305 million “for humanitarian aid and reconstruction in Iraq” and the pressure is on Europe’s leaders to increase cash in 2005.
Brussels is seeking to build bi-lateral relations with a new Iraqi government to discuss aid and reconstruction.
“Now we are keen to discuss these proposals with a new Iraqi administration with real authority to govern, and to develop plans for the future together,” said the statement.
“We also want to work with the Iraqi people to discuss what they believe can be done by the EU to improve their well-being.”
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