Tag: Iraq

No public festivities in the US and no statements from the EU – so far. The announcement by the White House of the end of the Iraq war, which took the lives of more than 4,700 coalition troops - including many Europeans - came amid a muted atmosphere.

The UK government on Tuesday (24 February) said it would block the release of records of cabinet discussions on the legality of invading Iraq, using its power to do so under the Freedom of Information Act. Brussels insiders see the move as an attempt to shelter former prime minister Tony Blair and preserve his chances of getting a top EU job.

The European Union has been engaging in in-depth discussions with the United States over the last three years to harbour prisoners detained in the controversial US Guantanamo centre in Cuba, EU counter-terrorism chief Gilles de Kerchove revealed in an exclusive interview with EurActiv.

The EU is finalising a new energy deal with Iraq following a visit by Nouri al-Maliki, the country's prime minister, to Brussels this week. The agreement is part of EU efforts to diversify its energy supply, but there are doubts about how much the EU can realistically decrease its dependence on Russia. 

The Finnish EU Presidency has acknowledged the death sentence against Iraqi former dictator Saddam Hussein, stressing the EU's commitment to fair trials and opposition to capital punishment. 

The transatlantic relationship is marked by the fact that the US needs the EU to boost the legitimacy of its operations, says Council Director Jim Cloos, in an exclusive interview with EurActiv on the trends in the EU's foreign policy.

A Commission delegation office will be opened in Baghdad "soon". The Commission is also set to start negotiations for a trade and cooperation agreement with Iraq in 2006.

An international conference convened by the US and the EU on 22 June in Brussels pledged support to the Iraqi Transition Government on its way to a constitutionally elected government by the end of 2005.

An international conference on Iraq will be co-hosted by the EU and the US on 22 June in Brussels. Iran will be among the invitees.

The EU is preparing to host a major international conference on Iraq in June "to demonstrate its commitment to helping Iraq build a new future", said External Relations Commissioner Ferrero-Waldner.

Ukraine has already begun withdrawing its troops from Iraq, and Bulgaria is likely to follow suit.

The EU will open a liaison office in Baghdad to co-ordinate the training of Iraqi judges, prosecutors and prison guards. 

NATO defence ministers meeting in France did not agree to expand training of Iraqi military on the ground, but the alliance will gradually take over full command in Afghanistan.

European foreign ministers' praise for the "courage and resolve of the Iraqis" looks like an endorsement of the US-backed elections. 

With contributions from journalists, industrialists, parliamentarians, experts, senior officials of the Union, this important work from the Institute for Security Studies, delivers a comprehensive stocktaking of past achievements and future challenges for the European Security and Defence Policy.

While Slovakia has reiterated its commitment to the coalition forces in Iraq, Hungary has announced a full troop withdrawal by the end of the year.

Hungary's parliament has voted down a government proposal to extend the country's military mission in Iraq. Accordingly, Budapest will withdraw its forces by the end of 2004 - but may resend them under NATO command. 

EU leaders united at the summit on 5 November "warmly congratulated" US President Geoge W Bush on his re-election, but the Iran nuclear issue is set to put the transatlantic partnership at odds. 

Two more members of the US-led coalition are to pull out of Iraq after the Netherlands and Hungary announced plans to withdraw their troops next year. Bulgaria will cut its military presence.

Senior advisors to the Bush and Kerry campaigns have debated the implications on European economies and politics of a respective Bush or Kerry Presidency.