By NNN-KUNA,
Kuwait : Iraq is no doubt facing grave problems, and creating an understanding between the country and its neighbours is vital in assisting in overcoming them, said UN Undersecretary General for Political Affairs B. Lynn Pascoe.
He was addressing the opening session of the Third Expanded Ministerial Conference of the Neighbouring Countries of Iraq here Tuesday.
“Only through constructive dialogue between Iraq and its neighbours can all the people of the region live in peace and prosperity. The fact that we are meeting here in Kuwait signals a desire to overcome differences and strengthen cooperation in the region,” he said.
Pascoe, who is heading the UN delegation to the conference, stressed the importance of maintaining the unity of Iraq and its democracy, without which he said the reconstruction process would not see light.
Since the previous expanded meetings in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, and Istanbul, Turkey, in 2007, the UN had taken steps to facilitate political dialogue in Iraq so as to overcome the strife between factions there.
The UN official called for exerting greater efforts to assist Iraq’s refugees and displaced persons, adding that the international organisation believed in the need to help host countries in this regard, alongside placing a programme for the return of refugees so that they may contribute to their country’s reconstruction.
“We believe that together with the government of Iraq, and the wider international community, the UN can help host countries, particularly Jordan and Syria, with humanitarian and technical assistance,” said Pascoe.
He said the support of neighbouring states “is essential” for the stability of Iraq, adding that the three working groups formed to tackle Iraq’s energy, security and refugees’ issues were working hard to deal with these problems and a mechanism had been prepared to overcome them.
He hoped that this mechanism would be adopted during this meeting.
Pascoe also strongly urged Iraq and its neighbours to “increase and transform this process (regional dialogue) into a strong partnership, based on shared responsiblities and concrete coopeation.”
He added that the UN believed that serious steps to assist the Iraqi government would help in taking more daring measures when dealing with its issues.