THE HAGUE, Aug 29 (AFP) - Dutch Foreign Minister Ben Bot, whose country holds the rotating presidency of the European Union, arrived in Baghdad on Sunday at the head of an EU mission to discuss strengthening EU support in Iraq, the Dutch foreign ministry announced.
Bot, who was accompanied by representatives of the European Commission and Council of Ministers, was due to have talks with Iraqi President Ghazi al-Yawar, Prime Minister Iyad Allawi and Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari. He will also meet the UN representative in Iraq.
"The EU mission will discuss with the Iraqi authorities how the EU could strengthen its support to Iraq. The mission is meant to explore ways for EU support to democratization, the development of civil society, rule of law and the protection and promotion of human rights in Iraq," a statement issued by the ministry said.
Bot will return to the Netherlands later Sunday.