The Council has adopted conclusions establishing a new strategy on Iraq, following the joint communication by the High Representative and the Commission on elements for an EU strategy on Iraq adopted on 8 January 2018.

Council conclusions on Iraq

1. The EU commends the  Iraqi people, their government and their security forces  on the  territorial defeat of Da'esh , with the support of the Global Coalition against Da'esh, of which  the EU is a member.

2. The EU reaffirms its commitment  to a strong EU - Iraq partnership,  underpinned by  the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA) , and  to supporting the Iraqi authorities in  the reconstruction phase and in tackling the underlying political, social and economic drivers  of instability. The EU calls upon all relevant stakeholders in Iraq to work together in a peaceful, co-operative and accountable manner, to address these issues, laying the ground for  an inclusive state, allowing for political, economic and social opportunities for all, and  consolidating the recent military gains against Da' esh.

3. The Council recalls its  June 2017 Council Conclusions and  welcomes the annexed Joint  Communication of the High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy  and the European Commission setting out elements for an EU Strategy for Iraq. It fully  endorses the objectives and the proposed policy approach detailed in the communication and  agrees t hat swift implementation is now crucial in order to maintain the momentum after the  liberation from Da'esh towards building a better future for Iraq. Together with these  conclusions, the communication forms the EU Strategy for Iraq. Given the multitude of  challenges, the EU  will  work towards all  its strategic  objectives  in Iraq  concurrently. These  objectives are focused on the following key areas: 5285/18 WB/kr 3 ANNEX DGC 2B EN a) Preserving the unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Iraq, as well as its ethnic  and religious diversity

4. The EU reiterates its continued, steadfast support for Iraq's unity, sovereignty and territorial  integrity, and its firm and active commitment to the preservation of the multi-ethnic, multi-religious and multi-confessional nature of Iraqi society, in cluding the protection of its  minority groups, building on the bond of a common national identity and inclusive  citizenship.

5. The EU calls on the Government of Iraq and the Kurdistan Regional Government to engage in  a constructive and result-oriented dialogue on immediate issues, providing a foundation for a  more detailed discussion on all open questions and towards a more stable and mutually beneficial long-term relationship based on the full application of the Iraqi constitution,  including its provisions  on Kurdish autonomy. The EU believes that this dialogue is a  responsibility of both parties based on the respective provisions in the constitution, and that  the general interest of all Iraqi people is best served and reflected through such a dialogue and  co-operation. The EU welcomes efforts to swiftly engage in such a dialogue . The EU reaffirms  its strong support to the United Nations facilitation efforts and stands ready to support  dialogue  if  requested . 5285/18 WB/kr 4 ANNEX DGC 2B EN b) Strengthening the Iraqi political system by supporting Iraqi efforts to establish a  balanced, inclusive accountable and  democratic system of government

6. In the context of post-conflict recovery, the EU recognizes the continued efforts of the Iraqi government to stabilize liberated areas in cooperation with  the UN and other actors on the  ground. While Da'esh is militarily defeated, it remains a threat. The EU recognises that significant challenges remain. The focus now must be on winning the peace by stabilizing conditions in the liberated provinces, also through the non-discriminatory return of IDPs to  their areas of origin, providing a conducive environment for reconciliation, and implementing  political and economic reforms. The EU stresses the urgency to prioritize national interests in  a spirit of mutual u nderstanding and compromise and to speed up progress on reforms and  towards national reconciliation based on justice and accountability, the principles of a  functioning democracy, inclusiveness, the rule of law, and respect for human rights. In order  to ac hieve the objective of building a common vision on the future of the  country,  it is now essential for Iraqis to embark on an inclusive process of reconciliation at the national , regional  and local level in a spirit of mutual understanding and compromise. In this context it also  continues its strong support to the Special Representative of the Secretary General of the United Nations as well as of UNAMI's work.

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7. The EU notes that the national elections will be an opportunity to build a more inclusive and  demo cratic state which works in the interests of all Iraqis. The EU  encourages the Iraqi  government to maintain their course towards national elections in May 2018, which must be  legitimate and democratic. Full participation of all components of Iraqi society, including the  Kurdistan region, will be crucial to ensure that the elections promote truly representative  institutions and inclusive governance. To this end, the EU is ready to provide practical  support and closely follow the electoral process in co-ordination with relevant national and  international actors, notably UNAMI.

8. In all processes, the full participation of women, youth, civil society and of all components of Iraqi society, including ethnic and religious minorities, needs to be ensured at the national,  regional and local level. The EU calls for the full implementation of the Iraqi National Action  Plan on Women and Peace and Security. 5285/18 WB/kr 5 ANNEX DGC 2B EN

9. The EU underscores the importance of professional, representative and democratically  controlled Iraqi security forces to deliver effective security, to uphold the rule of law, and to  ensure full respect of human rights. It welcomes the progress of the government of Iraq in  this regard, and urges continued efforts to ensure all armed groups effectively come under the  command and control of the Iraqi state. It is essential that security agencies improve their  relations with the civilian population in order to consolidate the stabilization gains. For this  purpose, the EU and its member states have been providing support to the Iraqi authorities'  reform efforts in the civilian security sector with the deployment in November 2017 of an EU  Advisory Mission (EUAM Iraq). The strategic objectives of the mission are inter alia: to  provide advice and expertise to the Iraqi authorit ies at the strategic level in order to contribute  to the implementation of the Iraqi National Security Strategy; and to analyse, assess and  identify opportunities for potential further Union engagement in support of the needs of the  Security Sector Reform  in Iraq in the long term. The EU highlights the importance of police  sector reform and the work being done by the Police Training Task Force of the Global  Coalition. The EU and its MS underline the broader need to ensure cooperation and coherence  among dif ferent actors, including the UN, the Global Coalition against Da'esh and NATO,  engaged in supporting security sector reform, as set out in relevant Council conclusions, and  stand ready to  work to  this end with due respect to the EU's institutional framewor k. 5285/18 WB/kr 6 ANNEX DGC 2B EN

10. The EU expresses its highest concern about the still precarious humanitarian situation and recognizes the significant efforts of all the Iraqi authorities, the United Nations and other  international partners in providing humanitarian relief and assistance to those displaced and  affected by the conflict. The EU expresses its concern at reports of forced and discriminatory  returns. It reiterates the importance for the Iraqi Government and Kurdish Regional  Government to protect civilians and ensure the safe, informed, voluntary and non-discriminatory, and unhindered return of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and refugees  who wish to return to liberated areas that are recognized as safe, in compliance with  international law, including international humanitarian law and human rights law, and in line  with international protection standards. In particular, issues pertainin g to housing, land and  property rights should be given central consideration in the return and reconstruction process.  The EU calls on Iraq to uphold the long-standing Iraqi policy of protection and support of  people residing and seeking protection in Iraq .

11. The EU stresses the urgent need for the whole international community to maintain its humanitarian support to those in need, in particular by supporting the 2018 Iraq United  Nations humanitarian response plan, and taking into account the needs in the whole of the  country. The EU and its member states have been at the forefront of the international  humanitarian response and will continue to show solidarity with the Iraqi people by providing  humanitarian aid to those most in need and according to humanitarian principles.

12. The EU and its member states underscore the need to deliver basic public services and  respond to the concrete needs of all Iraqi citizens. It also recognizes the critical importance of  developing joined - up approaches and implementing the nexus between humanitarian, early  recovery, reconstruction and stabilization efforts. The EU and its member states which have been among the largest donors in Iraq commit to supporting these efforts in the transition and  reconstruction phase on the basis of  a whole-of-Iraq approach and are ready to step up their support.  5285/18 WB/kr 7 ANNEX DGC 2B EN

13. The upcoming Kuwait International Conference for Reconstruction of Iraq, to be held in  Kuwait and co - chaired by the EU, represents an opportunity for the Government of Iraq to  continue to m anage the transition from stabilization to reconstruction, focusing also on continued humanitarian needs, in a structured and coordinated manner with its international  partners. The Conference will also be an important opportunity to demonstrate Iraq's  commitment to economic and social reforms which are crucial to mobilize much needed  international support for reconstruction and longer term recovery.

14. Stabilization efforts must be Iraqi-led, but supported by, and co-ordinated with, the  international community , including the United Nations and the Stabilization Working Group  of  the Global Coalition against Da' esh. Accordingly, the EU calls on the Iraqi government  through dialogue with all relevant actors at the national, regional and local level, and taking  full account of the interests of affected communities, including minorities, to ensure effective  security, inclusive governance, local ownership, and the provision of basic services in the  liberated areas.

15. In this context the EU, which is co-chairing the Explosive Hazard Mitigation (EHM,  'demining') efforts of the Global Coalition against Da'esh, together with its partners  UNMAS, calls on the Iraqi government to remove any remaining bureaucratic and practical obstacles to the full deployment of the national a nd international resources available for EHM in Iraq. It also calls on its international partners to step up their financial support to EHM efforts as an essential precursor to further stabilisation and reconstruction work.

16. The EU welcomes the initial efforts of the Government of Iraq to meet the requirements of its Stand-By Arrangement with the IMF, but is concerned about the lack of recent progress and  underlines that f ailure to achieve progress on benchmark reforms under the Arrangement will  jeopardise Iraq's financial stability. It underlines that continued financial and economic  reforms, and adequate provision of budgetary funds to sub-national governments are urgently needed to enable Iraq to embark on a path of economic recovery, reconstruction, sustained economic and social development, as essential elements of a reinforced social contract  between the state and its people. The EU welcomes efforts by the EIB and Iraq to finalize their negotiations on a framework agreement to facilitate long term loan support of Iraq.

17. The EU is ready to contribute to Iraq's implementation of the process of reforms needed to  strengthen and diversify the economy, which will result in better opportunities for job  creation, including for young people. A strengthened education system is cruc ial for the long-term stabilization of Iraq and is an important catalyst for the development of the country. In  this regard, the EU' s support for inclusive, equitable and quality education is essential to avoid the emergence of a "lost generation ". The EU actively supports the Iraqi authorities in their work to fight corruption, enhance public services, reinforce inclusive governance at all levels,  and make sure that the Iraqi citizens are placed at the centre of all reform efforts regardless of  their ethnicity, gender, religion or belief .

18. The EU believes it is essential for the long - term stability of Iraq that the government and  political leaders propose and support a credibl e process of transitional justice. Accountability  for crimes committed by all the parties, ensuring due process, is an important element for  national reconciliation. The grievances of all victims need to be addressed equally. 5285/18 WB/kr 9 ANNEX DGC 2B EN

19. In this vein, the EU stands ready to support Iraqi and international efforts to hold members of  Da'esh to account and ensure accountability for human rights violations and abuses, including  war crimes and crimes against humanity as well as acts against persons belonging to minority  groups based on due process, in conformity with the UN efforts that are underway under UN  Security Council Resolution 2379. In this respect, the issue of Foreign Terrorist Fighters, in  particular returnees, continues to be of special interest. Cooperation an d information sharing  with relevant actors involved, in a legally compliant manner and through the appropriate channels, remain crucial. The EU reiterates its call on Iraq to accede to the Rome Statute.

20. The EU emphasizes its principled objection to the use of the death penalty. The EU firmly believes that the use of death penalty is not only morally reprehensible but also counter-productive, both as a crime deterrent and as a punishment. Punishment, even for the worst  crimes, can be delivered by other equally strong but non-irreversible means, even when the state finds itself in the most challenging circumstances. These considerations gain additional  substance in the challenging stabilization and reconciliation context in which Iraq finds itself in today, following several cycles of terrorist violence since 2003. The EU reiterates its call  for the Federal Government of Iraq to introduce a moratorium on executions and for the  Kurdistan regional government to re-instate a moratorium, with a view to ultimately abolishing the death penalty.

21. The Council welcomes the initiation of a formal exchange on migration with Iraq which  allowed the identification of areas of mutual interest where cooperation could be deepened.  The  Council looks forward to the continuation of this dialogue. This dialogue should cover all  aspects of migration in a mutually beneficial, joint endeavour. The EU calls on the government of Iraq to cooperate further in establishing procedures to facilitate dignified, safe and orderly return of Iraqi nationals to their home country in line with international law, including human rights law and the obligation to  readmit own nationals, and Iraq's  commitments as expressed in the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement .  5285/18 WB/kr 10 ANNEX DGC 2B EN

22. The EU is committed to fostering regional dialogue and welcomes Iraq’s continued  diplomatic engagement with neighbouring countries. It encourages all the countries of the  region to play a constructive role, to sustain and increase their support to Iraq, and to continue  supporting Iraq's unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity. The EU underlines the importance for the prosperity of Iraq and its neighbours of improved regional co-operation.

23. The Council calls on the High Representative and the Commission to implement this strategy  with immediate effect and to foresee a review at the latest after two years as appropriate. The  EU institutions and the EU member states will pursue fast and effective donor coordination  in the delivery of the EU Strategy for Iraq seeking an integrated approach .

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