Statement by the United States, European Union and Iraq

Announcement of International Conference on Iraq: Statement by the United States, European Union and Iraq

Following is the text of a joint statement by the United States, the European Union and Iraq. BEGIN TEXT:

Representatives from Iraq, the United States, the European Union, joined by their colleagues and counterparts from the Arab Republic of Egypt, Japan, the Russian Federation and the United Nations, met in Cairo today to discuss arrangements for the International Conference on Iraq, to be held in Brussels on June 21-22, 2005.

The purpose of the Brussels International Conference on Iraq, which will be co-hosted by the US and the EU at the request of the government of Iraq, will be two-fold: first, the Iraqi delegation will enunciate and articulate their vision and priorities for the transition period leading up to the next round of elections along three different, but interconnected themes outlined in UN Security Council Resolution 1546: the continuation of the political process (including the drafting of a new Iraqi constitution), meeting economic challenges and reconstruction needs, as well as strengthening public order and the rule of law). The Iraqi representatives will present their national priorities in an effort to better coordinate and rationalize international efforts in support of the work of the Iraqi Transitional Government and its institutions.

Second, delegations from over 80 nations will respond by presenting their views on the future of Iraq and enunciating their expectations about the country’s forward progress towards good governance, a reform agenda and inclusiveness in the political process.

The preparatory meeting that took place today was a productive discussion that covered the organizational, logistical and operational aspects of the Brussels International Conference.

Today’s Iraqi-led discussions with the U.S., EU and others demonstrates our mutual commitment to achieving the objectives outlined in the three themes articulated above. The Brussels Conference will be a positive step in meeting those objectives.

SOURCE: state.gov END TEXT 2005/581 Released on June 2, 2005 Media Note (Revised) Office of the Spokesman Cairo, Egypt June 2, 2005