Written question asked by Keith Simpson (Conservative) on Monday, 3 July 2006, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 6 July 2006. It was answered by Kim Howells (Labour) on Monday, 10 July 2006 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Iraq

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions she has had with (a) her (i) Iraqi, (ii) US and (iii) EU counterparts and (b) the UN on the establishment of a UN International Compact to support the development of a framework for increased international assistance to Iraq; and if she will make a statement.

Answer: [holding answer 6 July 2006]: The Prime Minister of Iraq has written to the UK and other international partners including the UN, EC, US requesting support for an International Compact. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary attended the EU General Affairs and External Relations Council on 12 June where the Iraqi Foreign Minister discussed with EU Foreign Ministers the need for increased international engagement with Iraq through a compact. At the UN on 19 June the Iraqi Foreign Minister asked for support to create an International Compact for Iraq and my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary indicated the UK would help with the Compact when she saw him as he returned from New York. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has raised the Compact with G8 Foreign Ministers, including the US, at their recent meeting and called on them to support the Compact as Iraqi and UN ideas emerge. This was reflected in the supportive G8 final statement of 29 June. The full text of this statement can be found on the Foreign and Commonwealth website at: http://www.fco.gov.uk/Files/kfile/G8FMChairmanStatememt290606.pdf.We support wider international engagement in Iraq through the Compact and urge the international community to do the same. My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister has confirmed our commitment to this process.

Secondary information