The nature of Iraqi relations with the European Union after 2003

Abstract

Iraq's relations with the European Union countries are among the oldest and most solid of Iraq's foreign relations. Although these relations were damaged during some periods of time, and sometimes deteriorated due to many considerations, they quickly returned to their normal status, due to Iraq's strategic importance to European countries on the one hand, and Iraq's interest in European relations on the other hand. The European Union had an important role in Iraq in the post-2003 era, through important political relations with the Iraqi government, and attempted to achieve a true partnership in the political, economic, and cultural fields. The European Union was interested in the areas of human rights, civil society organizations, and strengthening Iraqi security capabilities.