European Parliament resolution on the European Union and Iraq - A framework for engagement (2004/2168(INI))
Date: 2005-07-06
Institutions: Committee on Foreign Affairs, European Parliament
Subjects: EU policy, Iraq, change of political system, cooperation policy, economic reconstruction, foreign policy, national sovereignty, national unification, the EU's international role, transition economy

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Wednesday 6 July 2005

40.
Calls on the Commission and the Turkish government to continue setting up and supporting
women's labour and employment projects, including projects set up by NGOs, and calls on the Turkish
government to implement national action plans on women and employment, as is currently the practice
in the Member States;

41.
Calls on trade unions and other social partners in the European Union and Turkey to cooperate in
increasing the participation of women in the Turkish labour force and executive functions in the various
sectors of the labour market;

Emphasises its intention to monitor closely the situation of women in Turkey, to report thereon on a
42.
yearly basis through its Committee on Women's Rights and Gender Equality and urges the Commission to
do the same;

Calls on the Commission to cover, systematically and comprehensively,

in its first report to the
43.
European Council in December 2005 on the pace of the reforms — which will also determine the progress
of the negotiations — the progress achieved up to that point in changing and implementing legislation to
promote women's rights;

Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council and the Commission, the govern-
44.
ments of the Member States, the Secretary-General of the Council of Europe and the government and
parliament of Turkey.

P6_TA(2005)0288

EU/Iraq — A framework for engagement

European Parliament resolution on the European Union and Iraq — A framework for engagement
(2004/2168(INI))

The European Parliament,

— having regard to the Communication from the Commission to the Council and the European Parlia-

ment on the European Union and Iraq — A Framework for Engagement COM(2004)0417,

— having regard to the joint letter of the Council of the European Union and the European Commission

on Iraq: EU Medium Term Strategy, D(2004)10111, dated 9 June 2004,

— having regard to the Commission's document Commission on Iraq — Assistance Programme 2005,

PE/2005/401,

— having regard to the Note of the Council of the European Union on the European Union Integrated

Rule of Law Mission for Iraq, 6405/3/05 — REV. 3, dated 21 February 2005,

— having regard to the conclusions of the European Council meetings in Brussels (17 February 2003) and
Thessaloniki (19 and 20 June 2003) and the declaration by the Greek Presidency (Athens, 16 April
2003),

— having regard to the conclusions of the External Relations Council of 25 April 2005,

— having regard to UN Security Council Resolutions 1483 (2003), 1500 (2003), 1511 (2003) and 1546

(2004),

— having regard to its previous resolutions of 16 May 2002 on the situation in Iraq eleven years after the
Gulf War (1), 30 January 2003 (2) and 16 September 2004 (3) on the situation in Iraq, its recommen-
dation to the Council of 24 September 2003 on the situation in Iraq (4) and Decision 2004/155/EC of
the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 December 2003 on the mobilisation of the flexibility
instrument in favour of the rehabilitation and reconstruction of Iraq according to point 24 of the
Interinstitutional Agreement of 6 May 1999 (5),

(1) OJ C 180 E, 31.7.2003, p. 499.
(2) OJ C 39 E, 13.2.2004, p. 67.
(3) OJ C 140 E, 9.6.2005, p. 157.
(4) OJ C 77 E, 26.3.2004, p. 226.
(5) OJ L 54, 23.2.2004, p. 1.

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— having regard to Rule 45 of its Rules of Procedure,

— having regard to the report of the Committee on Foreign Affairs and the opinions of the Committee on

Development and the Committee on International Trade (A6-0198/2005),

Wednesday 6 July 2005

A. whereas the outbreak of the war in Iraq was an unfortunate substitute for a political solution aimed at

fostering political change and democratisation in that country,

B. whereas the conflict resulted in a profoundly divided international community,

C. whereas the war in Iraq, its various aspects and its consequences continue to be a sensitive issue for

public opinion and governments in Europe and the United States,

D. whereas the adoption of clearer rules for the limitation of the use of force in international relations, for
the fight against terrorism and for prevention of the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction is in
the essential interests of the international community,

E. whereas Parliament is united in its wish for a swift and comprehensive resolution of the many prob-

lems that still exist in Iraq today,

F. whereas the years of dictatorship and oppression of the people, the international sanctions and the war
led to the collapse of all societal and political structures in Iraq, leaving behind a situation of anarchy
and insecurity,

G. whereas increased insecurity, acts of terrorism, kidnappings of civilians, including journalists, and viol-
ations of human rights have been constant over the last months, and have a particular impact on the
daily lives of ordinary Iraqis,

H. whereas the EU did not send electoral observers to witness events on the ground for the January 2005

elections, although it had played a significant role in assisting and financing their preparation,

I. whereas the reconstruction process should not be viewed as a mere mechanical procedure limited to
the rebuilding of infrastructures, but rather as the result of an all-encompassing political strategy, which
includes economic, social and cultural transformations based on full respect for the rule of law, human
rights and the rights of minorities,

J. whereas parameters to be considered in the reconstruction strategy include external and international

elements, domestic elements and non-governmental contributions,

K. whereas Iraqi society and social

life were completely dismantled by Saddam Hussein's dictatorship,
human rights violations, the oppression of the Iraqi people and the war, and thus need urgent reshap-
ing in all dimensions and through a strategy of setting priorities in concert with the Iraqi authorities,
with the assistance of the United Nations and the international community,

L.

having regard to the mass participation of Iraqis in the first democratic elections in the country, the
formation of a democratic government in Iraq, the election of a president and the start of work on a
new constitution,

M. whereas the EU Assistance Programme 2005 pledges a total budgetary allocation of EUR 200 million
and identifies needs which are reflected by the National Development Strategy (2005-2007) developed
by the Iraqi Interim Government,

N. whereas the European Union must cooperate closely with the United Nations, which is playing a pre-

dominant role in the reconstruction of the country, and with other international organisations,

O. whereas the EU co-hosted an international conference on Iraq in Brussels on 22 June 2005,

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1.
Expresses the need to move on from past events and to look towards the future; is greatly saddened by
the death of the thousands of civilians and foreign troops who are estimated to have perished since the
beginning of the invasion and the constantly rising monthly death rate; expresses great concern over the
deteriorating security situation in Iraq since the end of combat operations was declared on 1 May 2003;
expresses its hope that the lessons learned from the Iraq war will lead to more multilateral, democratic and
results-oriented conflict management worldwide in the future;

2.
Recalls the June 2003 conclusions of the European Council; recalls UN Security Council Resolution
1483 (2003); recalls UN Security Council Resolution 1546 (2004), which demonstrates a new spirit of
cooperation within the international community and provides the basis for effective international support
for Iraq's political transition and for the revival of its political authority and sovereignty, as well as the
reconciliation of the Iraqi people under UN leadership and with a clear timetable;

3.
Considers that the fall of the regime of Saddam Hussein should pave the way for the Iraqi people to
move towards a peaceful, secure and democratic future denied to them for decades under the repressive
policy of that regime; emphasises that security and stability in Iraq and in the region is the most urgent
challenge facing the international community, since it is a crucial precondition for the development of a
lively and voluntary civic spirit among Iraqi citizens; expresses its concern about the present insecure situ-
ation, which results both from an increasing number of acts of terrorism and from the perpetration of other
acts against foreign troops; considers that the international community has a moral and political duty to
respond;

4.
Stresses that, in order to bring an end to the present situation of continuing insecurity and to imple-
ment the commitments to the political process endorsed in UN Security Council Resolution 1546, it is of
the utmost importance to find a political solution with the aim of building a nationwide consensus, as
stated by the participants at the Iraq International Conference held in Brussels on 22 June 2005;

5.
Recalls, in this context, the importance of combating impunity and of promoting national reconcili-
ation, and the need to bring to trial all those responsible for serious violations of human rights in the
country; condemns the violations of prisoners' rights in Abu Ghraib prison and of the relevant Geneva
Conventions;

6.
Is deeply concerned at reports of the kidnapping and forced disappearance of many Iraqi nationals and
foreigners in Iraq; calls for these disappearances, including the case of Abdul Jafar Al-Kubaysi, a former
political refugee in France, to be fully investigated, and for these people to be immediately released;

The January 2005 elections for a Transitional National Assembly

7.
Restates its conviction that elections for a Transitional National Assembly were a necessary first step
towards a smooth political transition in the country and that they allowed voters to gain a feeling of owner-
ship of their political future, even though elections alone do not automatically lead to democracy; democ-
racy means taking account of the will of the people, through a representative government elected by the
people;

8. Welcomes the fact that, in spite of difficult circumstances due to the climate of insecurity and violence
in numerous parts of the country, the first elections took place on the scheduled day and that the overall
turnout was a major achievement that showed the will and conviction of the Iraqi people to determine their
own independent future by democratic means; stresses that security is essential to building up a democratic
process; notes that a large part of the Sunni minority did not participate in the elections and that members
of other minorities, such as Assyrians and Turkmens, were prevented from voting; calls on the Iraqi auth-
orities to guarantee the participation of these minorities in forthcoming elections; calls also for the recog-
nition, in the new Constitution, of the ethnic, national, religious and property rights of the Assyrians as well
as their right to play an integral part in the new Iraq;

9.
Acknowledges the results of the elections as officially announced, and recalls that in no way can these
be considered as an end in itself; calls on the Iraqi Parliament and the new Government to adopt an open
and constructive approach, aimed at federating all components of Iraqi society around a common political
project for the country in order to overcome what could be considered a division of the institutional set-up
along ethnic lines; welcomes the invitation and approval by the Iraqi Parliament of Sunni Ministers as

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members of the new legitimate Government; welcomes the fact that 31 % of those elected to the Transi-
tional National Assembly are women; notes that the new Iraqi Parliament has elected its President and
expresses the fervent hope that it will from now on be able to meet regularly; considers that the primary
task of the new Parliament and of the Government must be to strengthen democracy and the rule of law,
particularly through preparation of the new Constitution;

10. Welcomes the formation of the Iraqi Interim Government and the commitment of the Prime Minister
to ensuring the full participation of Sunni Ministers;

11.
Calls on neighbouring countries to refrain from any interference in Iraq's internal affairs and to
respect its independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity and the desire of the Iraqi people to build the
country's constitutional and political system by their own efforts;

Underlines that it is of the utmost importance for the international community to accompany the
12.
political changes and to assist the Iraqi authorities in preparing for the future referendum on a constitution
and for the general elections scheduled for 15 December 2005; calls on the EU to make a serious commit-
ment with regard to these events by sending, in agreement with the Iraqi authorities, a credible number of
EU observers to witness events on the ground, within the framework of a fully-fledged EU Electoral Observ-
ation Mission, supplemented by a delegation of observers from the European Parliament, and preceded by a
significant effort in financing the requisite electoral assistance;

13. Maintains that the Union has a responsibility to encourage and foster the activities of democratic
organisations in Iraqi civil society, since this is an essential way to promote the development of a new
democratic Iraq; calls on the Commission to give support in the future to programmes enabling democratic
organisations in Iraqi civil society to uphold the rule of law and the fundamental human rights of the Iraqi
people;

The restoration of security and the road to reconstruction

Emphasises that the establishment of a satisfactory and reliable sociopolitical climate depends on the

14.
fulfilment of the following preconditions:

(a)

the respect of international legality and compliance with the relevant international human rights coven-
ants so as to put an end to human rights violations,

(b)

support for and cooperation with the Iraqi authorities on the basis of a UN mandate,

(c) persuading the Iraqi people to engage in the task of re-building their own sovereign, unified and inde-

pendent state,

(d) condemnation of all forms of terrorism and acts of violence aimed at both the Iraqi civilian population

and the multinational forces in Iraq,

(e)

support for the active work of the European Union with the Iraqi authorities in the fight against
terrorism;

15.
Underlines that, in a country ravaged by over two decades of almost uninterrupted wars and sanc-
tions, ensuring that all Iraqis have access to key services such as primary healthcare and education, clean
drinking water and proper sanitation is essential for the return of stability; urges the European Union to
target its considerable know-how and resources on working with the Iraqi authorities and the international
donor community so as to ensure that the provision of these basic services is paramount;

16.
Calls on the European Union and its Member States to take the opportunity to promote a new UN
Security Council Resolution on Iraq with a view to assessing the situation, enhancing the stabilisation pro-
cess and

(a)

setting out guarantees for a greater commitment by, and a leading role for, the United Nations,

(b) providing for examination of, and decision-making regarding, the replacement of foreign troops in Iraq
by a UN peace-keeping force, particularly since all political parties running for election asked for the
withdrawal of foreign troops, and since some of the countries participating in the war have now with-
drawn or decided to withdraw their troops, on the basis that any decision regarding the withdrawal of
foreign troops is to be progressively implemented in accordance with a clear timetable,

(c) providing for consideration of the participation in training Iraqi armed forces and police forces by

countries not taking part in the war;

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17.
Recalls that the key challenge of reconstruction remains, on the institutional and social fronts, the
consolidation of the rule of law by establishing and strengthening effective democratic institutions, eliminat-
ing sources of tension among the different social components, mainstreaming a gender perspective into all
projects, strengthening civil society by supporting non-governmental organisations, and ensuring freedom of
the media and true respect for universal human rights standards, and especially for minority rights;

18. Welcomes the Iraqi decision to become a party to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal
Court (ICC), but once again calls on the Iraqi authorities to abolish the death penalty, to ensure appropriate
detention conditions and to create an efficient judiciary apparatus in order to fight impunity by prosecuting
the perpetrators; points out that these measures should be accompanied by coherent policies on the econ-
omic, social and cultural fronts and must be supplemented in the short and medium term by an emergency
aid plan, since large sections of the Iraqi population are seriously impoverished, and international support
measures are therefore necessary;

19.
Considers that a UN-led independent commission, composed of eminent Iraqi and other international
jurists, should be established to draw up proposals for a comprehensive programme to ensure justice in Iraq
regarding past violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms as well as large-scale criminal acts; in
that respect, underlines the need for the leaders of the previous regime to be brought to justice with the
right to a fair and impartial trial in line with universal standards, including the abolition of death penalty;

20.
Stresses that women in Iraq continue to face various forms of discrimination in legislation and legal
practice; in particular, urges the Iraqi authorities to eradicate honour killings and to ensure that these crimes
are prosecuted and punished in the same way as other homicides; calls on the Iraqi authorities, in this
connection, to review all legislation which discriminates against women, including the Penal Code and the
law on personal status, and to withdraw all reservations made to the UN Convention on the Elimination of
All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW); considers that specific measures should be taken to
promote the equality of women by ensuring equal access to economic and social rights, including education,
employment and health services, as well as freedom of movement and political participation;

21.
Urges respect for and protection of the fundamental rights of Iraq's largest group of Internally Dis-
placed Persons (IDPs), the Marsh Arabs, whose treatment by the regime of Saddam Hussein was particularly
brutal and tragic; strongly encourages the search for a long-term solution to the question of IDPs in south-
ern Iraq, including the right to return to the land and water that the Marsh Arabs have farmed and fished
for over 5000 years; in this context, supports the development in the new Iraq of human rights policies
which have at their core the restitution of property illegally stolen by the previous regime;

22.
Stresses the importance of protecting the country's archaeological sites, such as the ancient city of
Babylon and calls on the Council and the Commission to support Unesco in financing restoration projects
as part of the reconstruction of the country;

23. Welcomes the CFSP joint action on the European Union Integrated Rule of Law Mission for Iraq and
advocates further actions financed by the Community budget and involving the various EU institutions in
their implementation;

24.
Insists on the need to reinvigorate the transatlantic partnership through the sharing of burdens and
responsibilities, within the framework of effective multilateralism which also includes Muslim and neigh-
bouring countries; calls in that respect for the creation of a peace-keeping mission under UN leadership;

25.
Points out the need to involve Iraq's neighbours in the reconstruction process; views institutionalised
cooperation as a helpful forum for discussing and coordinating matters of common concern, such as border
security, terrorism, arms and drug trafficking, and organised crime; is convinced, furthermore, that such a
forum could gradually develop a mechanism for confidence-building and security cooperation in the region;

Recognises and supports the experience of those economic partners from the present EU countries

26.
that effectively acted as investors and service suppliers in pre-war Iraq;

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The EU and EP specificity and action

27.
Views the EU policy towards Iraq in the broader context of the EU strategic partnership for the
Mediterranean and the Middle East and expresses the wish that, in the medium term, the European Union
develop a comprehensive regional strategy for the non-Mediterranean countries of the Middle East;

28.
Notes that the EU must encourage regional cooperation and invite Iraq to participate in the EU
Strategic Partnership for the Mediterranean and the Middle East, and stresses that the progressive establish-
ment of regional economic cooperation will be a valuable first step towards reducing tensions and allowing
for the gradual development of political and security cooperation;

Stresses the important role that Iraq's neighbouring countries can play in the process of pacification,
29.
in preserving the unity of that country and in fostering the democratic process; calls on the European Union
and the Member States, in the context of their external relations, to encourage Iraq's neighbours to play this
role successfully, and to support their efforts in that regard;

30.
Points out that EU assistance and reconstruction policy should remedy the shortcomings of the past
and bring about a better understanding of Iraqi social dynamics and realities with the help of civil society
and non-governmental organisations; emphasises that the future political institutions of Iraq should reflect
the will of the Iraqi people and preserve the country's unity while encouraging the establishment of a
geographically decentralised government, a participatory political system and a federal state taking into
account the diverse make-up of the country, ensuring the harmonious participation of all social and ethnic
components and ensuring that women are represented and play a real and active role in the political and
reconstruction process without being subjected to any discrimination;

31.
Endorses the emergence of a social market economy, which offers small and medium-sized firms the
requisite opportunities to flourish; considers that EU assistance in the enhancement of democracy and the
rule of law is equally important;

32.
Supports the opening of WTO accession talks as a key step for the reintegration of Iraq into the
international economy; however, considers it necessary to establish adequate and legitimate institutions in
Iraq which enable its representatives to negotiate the terms of accession, and encourages continuous EU
assistance with a view to promoting Iraq's adherence to, and active participation in, international organi-
sations, conventions and treaties such as UNCTAD, UNDP, UNEP, ILO, the Kyoto Protocol and the Biodiver-
sity Convention;

Insists that any substantial contribution by the EU to the reconstruction of Iraq should not be to the
33.
detriment of assistance to other countries or regions; stresses that the Commission should provide complete,
regular and transparent information on the actual disbursement and implementation of EU assistance,
including those funds to be deployed indirectly through other organisations such as the International Recon-
struction Fund Facility for Iraq;

Is surprised that, in spite of its resolution of 16 September 2004 on the situation in Iraq (1), the
34.
funds allocated to reconstruction are being partly administered by the World Bank Trust and not entirely
by the United Nations; is concerned at the fact that, to date, the World Bank Trust has only utilised a minute
proportion of the funds set aside; insists that the EU's 2006 budget must take account of Iraq's take-up
capacity and, given the widespread corruption in the country, recommends having an independent audit
carried out on the use of these funds;

35. Welcomes the Commission's emphasis on debt relief and supports the concerted strategy that led to
the November 2004 agreement by the Paris Club to provide Iraq with a debt reduction of 80 % in three
phases;

Notes that, in view of the country's size and historical as well as geographical links, the EU and Iraq
36.
possess mutual markets for goods and services, and thus encourages efforts aimed at improving EU-Iraq
economic regulatory convergence and engaging in a political and economic dialogue that reflects the mutual
interest in a fully-fledged partnership;

(1) OJ C 140 E, 9.6.2005, p. 157.

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37.
Encourages continuous EU assistance aimed at building up the capacity of Iraqi administrative and
economic institutions, in particular the restructuring of the institutional framework, especially as regards the
creation of an independent central bank, a stable currency and a tax and budget authority, and the unham-
pered development of financial markets and the private sector in such a way as to encourage economic
market reform and direct foreign investment;

38.
Notes that Iraq is a beneficiary of the European Community's Generalised System of Preferences
(GSP) and encourages specific administrative cooperation so that GSP trade preferences may be effectively
applied to Iraq as soon as conditions allow;

39.
Stresses that one of the essential conditions for the reconstruction and development of the Iraqi
economy is for Iraqis to exercise full authority and control over the country's natural resources and to use
the revenue from the sale of petroleum in such a way as to ensure that it is reinvested in Iraq;

40.
Stresses that, given the possibility of a significant Iraqi contribution to the Union's security of energy
supply and the potential for the EU and Iraq to mutually benefit from increased Iraqi production of oil and
natural gas, a level playing field for investment and regulatory convergence in the energy sector are factors
of major interest to both the EU and Iraq;

41.
Points out that it is of the utmost importance to provide European taxpayers with clear information
about the amounts spent and projects conducted by the EU in Iraq; therefore calls on the Commission to
establish an information strategy in the European media and an Internet site on the Commission's Euro-
peAid Co-operation portal to provide relevant information on its Iraqi development actions and to increase
transparency;

42.
Requests that all humanitarian and reconstruction projects be conducted with careful planning, trans-
parency, coherence and increased coordination and cooperation with international donors, while ensuring
that all necessary security conditions for humanitarian aid workers are in place;

Stresses that the reconstruction process must be conducted in a neutral way, placing the reconstruc-

43.
tion projects under the control of Iraq's interim and sovereign authorities;

Stresses the need to focus in particular on the most vulnerable sectors of the population, namely
44.
children, the elderly and persons with disabilities, with a view to ensuring the best possible provision of
health care and welfare services;

45.
Requests donor countries to devise, in the field of medical care and social and financial support,
special programmes for the social reintegration of disabled landmine and cluster-bomb victims and their
families, to organise effective mine-awareness campaigns and education for the population, in particular for
children and women, and to actively conduct mine-clearance and refrain from using anti-personnel land-
mines;

46.
Considers that the process of drafting the constitution is of the utmost importance for the country
and for further institution-building; emphasises that it is of vital importance for the rights of women to be
enshrined in Iraq's new constitution, and in this context calls on the European Union to support this in the
strongest terms at every opportunity; offers its expertise and assistance with a view to the drafting of the
Iraqi constitution; proposes re-activation of the parliamentary dimension of the new Iraq by fostering a
dialogue between the Iraqi Parliament, the European Parliament, the parliaments of the neighbouring coun-
tries and the US Congress within the framework of an extended Transatlantic Legislative Dialogue;

47.
Calls for the immediate creation of an ad hoc parliamentary delegation for relations with the Iraqi
interim Parliament, to be transformed in the medium term into a permanent parliamentary delegation for
relations with Iraq;

Calls on the Commission to follow the example of the Council in establishing a permanent presence

48.
in Iraq, subject to the necessary assessment to ensure the security of its personnel;

*

*

*

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49.
Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the governments of the Member States, the
Council, the Commission, the Iraqi Transitional National Assembly, the Secretary-General of the United
Nations, the governments of the countries included in the Barcelona process, the governments of Iran and
of the member states of the Gulf Cooperation Council, and the Government and the Congress of the United
States of America.

P6_TA(2005)0289

Global Call to Action: Making Poverty History

European Parliament resolution on the Global Call to Action: Making Poverty History

The European Parliament,

— having regard to the ‘Quintet against Hunger’ formed at the World Summit for Action Against Hunger,
which led to the Global Call for Action against Poverty launched by President Lula of Brazil at the
World Social Forum in January 2005,

— having regard to the New York Declaration on Action against Hunger and Poverty of 20 September

2004, signed by 111 national governments, including all the EU Member States,

— having regard to the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and the forthcoming UN High Level Event

reviewing progress towards the MDGs in September 2005,

— having regard to Commission Communications COM(2005)0132, COM(2005)0133 and COM(2005)
0134 of 12 April 2005 on accelerating progress towards attaining the Millennium Development Goals,

— having regard to the meeting of the Development Council held in May 2005,

— having regard to Rule 108(5) of its Rules of Procedure,

A. whereas extreme poverty affects over one billion people, and whereas in sub-Saharan Africa over
300 million people live in absolute poverty and millions of people die each year from a lack of health
care, clean water, decent housing and adequate nutrition,

B. whereas the latter half of 2005 presents an historic opportunity for the EU and its Member States to
demonstrate their leadership on development issues at the G8 Summit in Gleneagles, at the MDGs
Conference in New York in September and at the World Trade Organisation (WTO) Ministerial Con-
ference in Hong Kong in December,

C. whereas attaining the MDGs and combating global poverty will require all donors to increase the
quantity and improve the quality of aid, make trade fairer and relieve unsustainable debt, and whereas
two thirds of developing countries spend more on servicing debt than on basic social services,

D. whereas much aid remains ‘tied aid’, meaning that money is often given on the condition that goods
and services are bought from the donor country; whereas the ‘tying’ of aid is estimated to inflate
procurement costs by around USD 5 billion,

E. whereas, although EU official development assistance (ODA) flows have grown, a large part of this
growth is due to debt relief operations, which runs contrary to the Monterrey consensus according to
which the HIPC (Highly Indebted Poor Countries) initiative should be fully financed through additional
resources,

F. whereas the debt cancellation announced by Mr Blair on the eve of

the G8 summit covers
USD 2 billion a year, applies to 18 of the 165 developing countries and concerns only international
financial institutions,