LOC18:31
15:31 GMT
BRUSSELS, March 2 (KUNA) -- The European Union on 14 February adopted a
decision to extend until 30 June 2011 the arrangements for the depositing into
the Development Fund for Iraq of proceeds from export sales of petroleum,
petroleum products and natural gas and the arrangements concerning immunity
from legal proceedings of certain Iraqi assets following adoption of UNSC
resolution 1956(2010).
EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton announced Wednesday that the
following countries have declared that they share the objectives of the EU
decision on Iraq.
The EU Candidate Countries Turkey, Macedonia, Montenegro and Iceland, the
potential EU candidates Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, and
Liechtenstein, member of the European Economic Area, as well as Moldova and
Armenia.
"They will ensure that their national policies conform to this EU decision.
The European Union takes note of this commitment and welcomes it," said Ashton
in a statement.
In line with United Nations Security Council (UNSC) Resolution 1483 of the
year 2003, the EU had implemented certain specific restrictions on economic
and financial relations with Iraq and also made specific arrangements as
regards payments for petroleum, petroleum products and natural gas exported
from Iraq.
It also made specific arrangements concerning immunity from legal
proceedings of certain Iraqi assets. Those specific arrangements were applied
until 31 December 2010.
Meanwhile, UNSC Resolution 1956 of 2010 provided that those specific
arrangements should be extended until 30 June 2011 and that they should no
longer apply after that date.
The EU has amended it accordingly. (end)
nk.mt
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