EU-Iraq: negotiations for a Trade and Cooperation Agreement continue

On 26-27 February 2008, the European Commission and the Government of Iraq will hold the fourth round of negotiations for a Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) since negotiations started in November 2006. The fourth round is expected to cover human rights issues, trade in goods and services, customs and taxation, industrial cooperation, transport, employment and social protection, education, training and, youth, culture, agriculture and rural development. The negotiations will be led on the Commission’s side by Hugues Mingarelli, Deputy Director-General for the External Relations DG, and Mohammed Hamoud Bidan, Iraqi Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs.

Launched by Commissioners for External Relations and Neighbourhood Policy, Benita Ferrero-Waldner, and Trade, Peter Mandelson, and Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs, Barham Salih, in November 2006, the TCA negotiations aim to improve the trade arrangements between Iraq and the EU and to integrate the country in the international economy. The previous rounds of negotiations in June and November 2007 have been very productive with several chapters already agreed in areas such as combating terrorism, countering proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and energy cooperation, among others. Following the upcoming fourth round, another round of negotiations is expected to place in June this year.

The TCA negotiations underline the European Union’s determination to play a significant role in Iraq’s transition and to help Iraq improve living conditions for its citizens. This commitment is also reflected in the more than €800 million already contributed by the European Commission towards the reconstruction of Iraq since 2003, with a focus on assisting the Iraqi people in accessing basic services, furthering democracy, and promoting good governance.

After the conclusion of this round of negotiations, the negotiators will brief the press on the record on Wednesday 27 February in the afternoon. Journalists wanting to attend the briefing should contact Concha Fernández de la Puente.