ITALY'S FOREIGN POLICY TOWARD IRAQ

ITALIAN FOREIGN MINISTRY

June 13, 2002

Excerpt

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Italy has also followed the developments in the Iraqi crisis closely and in particular, the humanitarian and social aspects to assess the consequences of the continued sanctions on the local population. The government continues to operate in EU forums as well as within the United Nations to ease the application of sanctions with a view to ending the embargo given their impact on the humanitarian situation in Iraq, which is deteriorating. Actions benefiting the health and social situation are realized through humanitarian flights towards the region and Italy’s significant efforts to rehabilitate the Al Nouman hospital in Baghdad - one of the most important in the city. Further proof of Italy’s sensitivity to the health situation in Iraq is attested to by the meeting of Iraq’s Health Minister, Mubarak during his visit to Italy on the 24-26 of January 2001, with Foreign Affairs Minister, Dini and again with Health Minister, Veronesi. The dialogue policy has without a doubt improved bilateral relations between the two countries as attested to by the visit of an Iraqi government delegation in October 2000, which did not compromise the legal framework established by the UN resolutions. In fact, Italy continues to believe the Iraqi government must comply with the pertinent UN resolutions and is convinced that the solution to the crisis must take place within this sphere.

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