Press Release: Iraq: third round of negotiations for a Trade and Cooperation Agreement

On 27-28 November 2007 the EU and Iraq will hold the third round of negotiations for a Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) in Brussels. The areas foreseen to be covered by this round of negotiations are energy, environment, some trade provisions, human rights, science and technology and security, weapons of mass destruction and counter terrorism. The TCA negotiations were launched by Commissioners Ferrero-Waldner and Mandelson, on behalf of the Commission, and by Barham Salih, Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs, on behalf of Iraq on 20 November 2006. The TCA will help to progressively strengthen the EU’s relations with Iraq and integrate the country in the world economy.