Press Release: Sharm el Sheikh: The EU offers Iraq Support and Partnership

Preview of the Sharm el Sheikh international conference on Iraq, taking place on 22 and 23 November 2004. The EU was set to reaffirm its support for Iraq's transition to a stable, democratic future, and to hold out the prospect of a deepening partnership. The European Commission was represented at the Conference by Commissioner for External Relations and the European Neighbourhood Policy Benita Ferrero-Waldner. The EU was also represented by High Representative Javier Solana, Foreign Minister Bernard Bot of the current Dutch Presidency, and the foreign ministers of numerous Member States. The European Commission's key objectives for the Conference were to underline the importance of inclusive and participatory elections in January 2005, and to express readiness to support Iraq and its neighbours in developing a closer co operation between themselves, if they so wished.