By NNN-KUNA
United Nations : Staffan de Mistura, the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General in Iraq, told various European media that 2008 was a “crucial” year for Iraq, at least because of important provincial elections next October.
He said his presence in Brussels was in recognition of the crucial role that Europe plays in Iraq.
“No activities would be possible without the EU financial backing. The EU and UN shared the same objective, bringing stability and peace, and were working on the same wave length,” he was quoted as saying on Friday.
De Mistura on Friday concluded a two-day visit to Brussels where he met with officials of the European Union and NATO and Belgian diplomats.
He also met with Jaap de Hoop Scheffer, NATO Secretary-General, Robert Cooper, Director-General for Politico-Military Affairs at the Secretariat of the Council of the European Union, and briefed the Political and Security Committee of the Council of the EU.