By Henrietta Billings - 2nd May 2004
The European Commission on Monday released €160 million in aid for Iraq's reconstruction.
The money is part of a €200 million package pledged by the EU for 2003-2004 at the Madrid International Donors conference for Iraq in October.
"Although the security situation continues to impose limits on all those who want to help with the reconstruction of Iraq, the European Union is determined to play its part in building a better future for the Iraqi people," said External Relations Commissioner Chris Patten.
"Our priorities are to build democracy, to deliver decent public services and help create jobs."
Some €90 million will be spent on education, health and access to sanitation, €60 million will go towards employment schemes and €10 million will help the reform of the justice system, free media and human rights.
The money will be chanelled through UN and World Bank trust funds.
The Madrid Donor's conference in October 2003 launched the international effort to help with Iraq reconstruction where the EU pledged more that €1.25 billion.
Of this total €200 million was promised from the EU's budget for 2003 and 2004. In December €40 million was released and €160 million cleared on Monday is the second installment.
Have your say...
Please enter your comments below.