Press Release: Iraq: European Commission proposal for the Madrid Conference on Reconstruction

The European Commission adopted a Communication on 1 October 2003 setting out proposals for the European Union's position at the Madrid Conference on Reconstruction in Iraq (to be held 23-24 October 2003). The Communication suggests that Europe should offer a consolidated pledge at Madrid, bringing together the contribution of the Community and individual contributions from the Member States. It is proposed that €200 million should be made available from the Community budget for reconstruction in Iraq in the initial period up to the end of 2004. €100 million in humanitarian assistance from the Community budget is already being deployed in Iraq. The Communication outlines a common approach, stressing that success will depend on three factors: security, transfer of power to the Iraqi people, and a multilateral framework for reconstruction including the creation of a multi-donor trust fund. It notes the importance of involving Iraq's neighbours in the reconstruction process from the start.

http://www.eeas.europa.eu/iraq/index_en.htm http://www.eeas.europa.eu/iraq/index_en.htm

http://ec.europa.eu/comm/echo/field/iraq/index_en.htm http://ec.europa.eu/comm/echo/field/iraq/index_en.htm

http://eeas.europa.eu/iraq/index_en.htm http://eeas.europa.eu/iraq/index_en.htm

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