Partnership and cooperation agreement between the EU and Iraq

 

SUMMARY OF:

Decision (EU) 2018/1107— conclusion of the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement between the EU and its Member States, of the one part, and Iraq, of the other part

Partnership and Cooperation Agreement between the EU and its Member States, of the one part, and Iraq, of the other part

WHAT IS THE AIM OF THIS DECISION AND AGREEMENT?

The decision concerns the conclusion, on behalf of the European Union (EU), of the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement with Iraq.

The aims of the agreement are:

• to provide an appropriate framework for political dialogue between the parties, allowing the development of political relations;
• to promote trade and investment and harmonious economic relations between the parties and so to help foster their sustainable economic development;
• to provide a basis for
  • legislative
  • economic
  • social
  • financial, and
  • cultural cooperation.

KEY POINTS

The agreement covers a number of key areas, namely:

• political dialogue and cooperation in foreign and security policy, including in
  • the fight against terrorism;
  • countering the proliferation of nuclear weapons;
  • the illegal arms trade, and
  • Iraq’s accession to the Rome statute of the International Criminal Court;
• trade and investment, including incorporating World Trade Organisation rules and providing Iraq with market access to the EU and preferential elements in public procurement, services and investments;
• areas of cooperation, including financial and technical assistance; social and human development cooperation; education, training and youth; employment and social development; human rights; energy; transport; and the environment;
• justice, freedom and security, including a commitment to the rule of law, to judicial cooperation on civil matters as well as cooperation on migration and asylum, and on combating organised crime, money laundering and terrorist financing;
• institutional provisions, establishing a Cooperation Council to meet once a year at ministerial level along with a Parliamentary Cooperation Committee comprising members of the Iraqi parliament and the European Parliament.

DATE OF ENTRY INTO FORCE

The agreement entered into force on 1 August 2018.

BACKGROUND

The EU adopted a new strategy for Iraq in 2018.

For more information, see:

• The EU and Iraq (European External Action Service).

MAIN DOCUMENTS

Council Decision (EU) 2018/1107 of 20 July 2018 on the conclusion of a Partnership and Cooperation Agreement between the European Union and its Member States, of the one part, and the Republic of Iraq, of the other part (OJ L 203, 10.8.2018, p. 1)

Partnership and Cooperation Agreement between the European Union and its Member States, of the one part, and the Republic of Iraq, of the other part (OJ L 204, 31.7.2012, pp. 20-130)

RELATED DOCUMENTS

Notice concerning the entry into force of the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement between the European Union and its Member States, of the one part, and the Republic of Iraq, of the other part (OJ L 207, 16.8.2018, p. 1)

last update 11.01.2019