The EU has agreed to open an office in Baghdad to coordinate the training of Iraqi judges, prosecutors and prison guards in a step hailed as a sign of unprecedented unity over Iraq within the 25-nation bloc.
For now, the training of some 700 Iraqis will be conducted in EU nations or elsewhere in the Middle East but could eventually take place inside Iraq if the security situation improves there, EU foreign ministers announced on Monday.
EU officials said the Baghdad office -- the first EU representation in Iraq since the war -- should open within months and that it reflected Europe's willingness to take on a more active rebuilding role following major divisions over the US-led war.
"We are for the first time really united on Iraq," said EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana. "That without any doubt is going to be very important to the meetings we are going to have ... with [US] President [George W.] Bush."
Bush said in a foreign policy speech in Brussels on Monday that it was time for the transatlantic alliance to move beyond disputes over Iraq. He was to meet with EU leaders at a summit here yesterday.
British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw said both the US and Europe were actively seeking to repair the rift over Iraq.
"It's been very clear since President Bush's re-election in early November of his determination greatly to improve relations with the whole of the European Union," Straw said. "I would like to say that all the indications are that European Union countries are reciprocating."
The EU will make available 2.34 million euros (US$3 million) to provide security for the Baghdad office that will recruit Iraqis. The office itself will be provided by Britain and have a staff of about five.
"We are prepared to provide training for police staff ... to provide training in management and judicial investigations," said Luxembourg Foreign Minister Jean Asselborn, who chaired the meeting. "The EU is committed to working closely with the transitional government."
Prime Minister
Meanwhile, interim Iraqi vice president Ibrahim Jaafari was officially chosen by the Shiite religious list that won the elections as its candidate for prime minister, list leader Abdelaziz Hakim told reporters yesterday.
"The issue was decided unanimously by members of the United Iraqi Alliance list and Mr Jaafari is its only candidate," said Jawad Maliki, spokesman of the Dawa religious party.
"The idea of a vote had been considered but it was no longer necessary when Ahmed Chalabi withdrew his candidacy at the last minute," he added.
Jaafari, currently one of two largely ceremonial vice presidents, has been picked by the Shiite United Iraqi Alliance list, of which Dawa is one of the two main parties.
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