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Baroness Nicholson MEP Welcomes First Joint Parliamentary Iraq Meeting

29 February 2008

Baroness Nicholson of Winterbourne MEP yesterday welcomed a high level visit by Iraqi parliamentarians to the European Parliament in Brussels. The visit was the first time a joint meeting has been held between Iraqi parliamentarians and the European Parliament’s newly established Permanent Ad-hoc Delegation for Relations with Iraq, chaired by Baroness Nicholson.

In a series of meetings in Brussels, MEPs and Iraqi Parliamentarians led by Deputy Speaker, H.E Sheikh Khalid A. Al-Atiya, debated issues such as freedom of speech, Islam and democracy, parliamentary procedures, refugees and security. On behalf of the Prime Minister, Government Spokesman Dr Ali Al-Dabbagh gave a very clear message of support for the new initiative. The debates included interventions from Delegation vice-chairmen, Nickolay Mladenov MEP and Cem Ozdemir MEP.

The Iraqi visitors also briefed MEPs on the situation of Iraqi refugees, whose security and welfare is often at risk even after returning to their own country.

After the meetings Baroness Nicholson said:

“This visit is a wonderful affirmation of Iraq’s commitment to democracy, and of the European Union’s commitment to Iraq. The European Union has declared 2008 the Year of Intercultural Dialogue – what more appropriate way to celebrate than by introducing Iraq’s new democratically elected politicians to their European counterparts?”

Both groups were welcomed the previous evening with a dinner given by the long-standing Ambassador of Iraq to the European Union, Dr Al-Doreky.

All of the Iraqi visitors made clear their commitment to parliamentary democracy in Iraq, and expressed an interest in sharing best practice on parliamentary procedure and protocol. For their part, MEPs on the delegation for Iraq gave a commitment to hold a seminar on Democracy and Religion in the Autumn. The seminar will coincide with the Parliament’s Arab week activities.

Iraqi government officials who accompanied the Parliamentarians to Brussels are meeting with the European Commission to negotiate a Trade and Cooperation Agreement, the first contractual agreement between the EU and the Republic of Iraq.

The European Parliament’s Permanent Ad Hoc Delegation for Relations with Iraq is now planning a return visit to Iraq within to build upon the excellent contacts established this week.

ENDS

NOTES:

• Iraqi visitors to the European Parliament:

o H.E Sheikh Khalid A. Al-Atiya, First Deputy Speaker of the Iraqi Council of Representatives, Head of Delegation
o Dr Ali Al-Dabbagh, Spokesman of the Iraqi Government
o Ms Tanya Gilly, Member of the Iraqi Council of Representatives
o Mr Abbas Al-Anbooriy, Member of the Iraqi Council of Representatives
o Mr Ahmed A. Ibraheem, Member of the Iraqi Council of Representatives

• Members of European Parliament’s Permanent Ad-Hoc Delegation for Relations with Iraq:

o Baroness Nicholson of Winterbourne MEP Chairman
o Nickolay Mladenov MEP 1st Vice Chairman
o Cem Özdemir MEP 2nd Vice Chairman
o Jana Hybaskova MEP
o Tunne Kelam MEP
o Ana Maria Gomes MEP
o Lilli Gruber MEP
o Véronique De Keyser MEP
o Renate Weber MEP
o Jan Tadeusz Masiel MEP
o André Brie MEP
o Patrick Louis MEP
o Giovanni Rivera MEP