Iraq's Neighbors Condemn Terrorist Acts In Iraq

KUWAIT - The neighboring countries of Iraq condemned on Tuesday acts of terror in this country.
Foreign ministers of Iraq`s neighbors had an expanded ministerial conference in Kuwait. Representatives from Egypt, Bahrain, United Arab Emirates, Oman, the permanent members of the United Nations Security Council, the Organization of the Islamic Conference, the Arab League, the European Union and the G8 also attended the meeting.
In the final communique released at the end of the conference, participants condemned all acts of terrorism in all its forms in Iraq.
"We call for the immediate cessation of all such acts, support the Iraqi Government`s increasing efforts in combating terrorism including all efforts to prevent Iraqi territory from being used as a base for terrorism against neighboring countries and vice versa," the foreign ministers said in the final communique.
The participants said Iraqi Government`s efforts to strengthen the capabilities of its armed and security forces to assume full security responsibility should be supported.
The final communique reaffirmed the obligation of all states to combat terrorist activities and prevent the use by terrorists of their territory for supplying, organizing and launching terrorist operations, and help Iraq to expel the terrorist organizations out of its territories.
In a separate article regarding terrorism, the final communique supported the joint efforts of Iraq and its neighboring countries to prevent the transit of terrorists and illegal arms to and from Iraq.
"We re-emphasize the importance of strengthening cooperation between Iraq and its neighboring countries to control their common borders and prevent all kinds of illicit trafficking, including financial and logistical support for terrorists and terrorist organizations; and refuse instigation of violence and terror," the communique also said.

-INDEPENDENCE AND SOVEREIGNTY OF IRAQ-
The final communique reaffirmed the respect of national unity, independence, full sovereignty, territorial integrity, Arab and Islamic identity of Iraq, and expressed participants` commitment to the preservation of Iraq`s internationally recognized borders.
The participants also pledged to adhere to a comprehensive and consistent commitment to the principle of non-interference in Iraq`s internal affairs, stressing the right of the Iraqi people to freely determine their political system and political future and control their natural and financial resources.
The final communique supported the efforts of the constitutionally elected Iraqi government and Council of Representatives to achieve the goals of the Iraqi people for a free, prosperous, stable, united, democratic and federal Iraq that ensures fundamental and equal rights of the Iraqi people to peacefully participate in the ongoing political process.
In the communique, the participants reaffirmed the commitment of the international community and Iraq`s neighbors to promote peace, stability and security in Iraq.

-ENERGY WORKING GROUP TO MEET IN ISTANBUL-
The communique said the energy working group would hold its upcoming session in Istanbul, and supported Iraqi Government`s efforts in broadening the political process, strengthening the elected institutions, reinforcing political dialogue and national reconciliation, assisting vulnerable groups including the internally and externally displaced persons, and promoting the protection of human rights and judicial and legal reform.
In the final communique, the participants encouraged all Iraqis to engage in comprehensive political dialogue and national reconciliation for the sake of Iraq`s stability, unity, and sustainable development.
Participants also stressed the principle of the Iraqi national identity and invited all components of the Iraqi people to work for the enhancement of the National Unity, regardless of their political trends and ethnic and sectarian affiliations, and seek to employ the historical multi-cultural heritage as a mean of unification not division.
Also, the final communique encouraged and urged all states to open or re-open their diplomatic missions in this country.
The fourth expanded ministerial meeting will be held in Baghdad, Iraq.
(BRC-MS)