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 20/ 05/ 2002

Declaration by the Presidency on behalf of the European Union concerning Iraq (Madrid and Brussels)

 

The European Union welcomes the meetings between Mr Naji Sabri, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Iraq, and Mr Kofi Annan, Secretary?General of the United Nations, aimed at finding a diplomatic solution to the question of weapons of mass destruction in Iraq, through full implementation of the Security Council Resolutions and compliance by Iraq with its disarmament obligations.

The European Union reaffirms its attachment to the unconditional observance of the United Nations
Security Council Resolutions. It calls on Iraq to comply with the Resolutions without delay, in particular by agreeing to the return of inspectors to Iraq in accordance with Resolution 1284.

The European Union unreservedly supports all efforts on the part of the Security Council and the
Secretary-General of the United Nations.

The European Union welcomes the Security Council's adoption of Resolution 1409 of 14 May 2002
which significantly eases the United Nations sanctions on Iraq. The new "Oil for Food" programme will allow Iraq to import civilian goods more freely, while maintaining strict control on dual use goods. Such control remains necessary owing to the continuing concern of the international community regarding the potential use of these goods in mass-destruction or conventional weapons programmes. The European Union calls upon Iraq to cooperate fully with this new sanctions regime, which should help improve the humanitarian situation and above all benefit the Iraqi people. (...)