ISTANBUL - Joint statement of the ministers of foreign affairs of the neighboring countries of Iraq at their 8th official meeting issued on Saturday.
The foreign ministers, who attended the meeting, committed to extend support and cooperate with the newly elected government in Iraq.
In the statement, the foreign ministers confirmed transition of Iraq to a united, democratic and pluralist state, including a federal structure in case Iraqi people decides.
GENERAL ELECTIONS
The joint statement welcomed the holding of the general elections on January 30th, 2005, for the Transitional National Assembly and the subsequent election of the National Assembly Speaker, the President and the Presidential Council, the appointment of the Prime Minister and the formation as well as the endorsement of the Transitional Government.
Recalling that the previous seven official and two informal meetings since the Regional Countries Initiative was launched in Istanbul on January 23rd, 2003, the statement reiterated determination to work in concert for the freedom, peace and stability for Iraq.
The ministers reaffirmed the sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity and national unity of Iraq as well as the principles of non-interference in others' internal affairs and good-neighborliness.
The statement equally affirmed the right of the Iraqi people to determine freely their future and exercise full national control over their natural and financial resources and the foreign ministers expressed their strong desire that these elected bodies will be fully instrumental in pursuing and completing the political transition in an inclusive, transparent and democratic manner which will endure effective participation of the entire spectrum of the Iraqi people in the political economic and social rebuilding of Iraq.
-WAR CRIMES AND CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY-
The statement reiterated the importance of bringing to justice the leadership and the members of the previous Iraqi regime who have committed war crimes against Kuwait and Iran and crimes against humanity to the Iraqi people.
-UN ROLE-
The foreign ministers in the joint statement expressed hope that a result would be obtained in approval of the timetable pertaining to the transition process and the momentum gained after January 30th elections would continue.
The ministers consequently agreed that the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) should serve as a focal point in receiving the processing political assistance to the transition process and welcomed the increasing presence of the United Nations staff in Iraq.
The final statement drew attention to the vital importance of fully establishing security and stability in Iraq and strongly condemned the terrorist acts aimed at the Iraqi people, the stabilization efforts, nascent Iraqi security forces, political and religious leaders and establishments, including holy sites, as well as foreign citizens and institutions providing assistance to and in economic activities.
The statement recalled that the mandate of the Multinational Force in Iraq is conditioned by the provisions of operative paragraphs 4 and 12 of the UN Security Council Resolution 1546, according to which the Government of Iraq will decide on its termination, and expressed the strong expectation of the foreign ministers that the Iraqi security forces will soon be able to achieve the capacity and the level of readiness to fully take over the security responsibility in the country.
While reiterating their own commitment, the foreign ministers called on all other interested countries to respond the request of Iraq to train and support the Iraqi security forces in their rebuilding, and noted the importance of the commitment of the Multinational Force to act in strict compliance with the international humanitarian law, in particular, the Geneva Conventions.
The foreign ministers in the joint statement expressed their determination, also in the light of the conclusions of the Interior Ministers Meeting of Iraq's Neighbors which was held between November 30th and December 1st, 2004, in Tehran, to increase their cooperation on the overall border security with Iraq, including effective monitoring of the borders, strict controls at border entry points and cross border movements and exchange of intelligence with Iraq, with the primary aim of stemming terrorist and other illegal infiltration to and from Iraq.
The ministers agreed, with this dedicated purpose, to convene the Second Meeting of the Interior Minister of the Neighboring Countries in Turkey soon and further reiterated that the inviolability of those borders is a major requirement of international law and their full respect will serve as a significant confidence-building measure in their region's future.
The foreign ministers supported the efforts of the Transitional Government of Iraq to fulfil its responsibilities.
The ministers reaffirmed their conviction that the Neighboring Countries Initiative, which has now evolved into a well-established framework of regional coordination and cooperation, will continue to serve Iraq in its national rebuilding efforts and strengthen regional peace and stability.
The foreign Ministers welcomed the supportive role of the international community in Iraq's political transition, and, in this context, the institutional involvement of the Organization of the Islamic Conference, the Arab League, and other regional organizations.
The ministers noted the request of Iraq for the cancellation or reduction of their sovereign debt and expressed their appreciation to Turkey for hosting this Ministerial Meeting.