By NNN-KUNA,
Brussels : The European Union has decided to extend its law-training mission for Iraq, an EU official said.
The EUJUST LEX mission started in July 2005 to train Iraqi police and judiciary officials in EU member states. The mission was mandated to conduct its programme of operations until the end of 2007 but in November 2007 the mission was extended till June 2009.
“The third phase of operations will end in June. The mission has been extended. The fourth phase of operation will begin in June 2009,” Stephen White, head of EUJUST LEX told a press conference here Wednesday.
“During that time my mission has been given the mandate to explore the possibility of some in-country activities, training programmes if the security situation permits,” he said.
Up to date, the EU mission has trained about 2,000 members of the Iraqi police, judiciary and prisons services inside the EU and in some neighbouring states of Iraq. But White declined to name the neighbouring states for security considerations.
At present, the EU mission has a small liaison team inside Iraq providing strategic advice to various ministries. “In my opinion, we are achieving all the objectives which our mandate has given us,” said the former British police officer from Northern Ireland.
He said the prisons system in Iraq is improving but the judicial system will take a long time to improve.
EUJUST LEX is a civilian crisis management operation under the auspices of the European Security and Defence Policy (ESDP). Its aim is to strengthen the management capacity of senior and high-potential officials from the police, judiciary and penitentiary and improve skills and procedures in criminal investigation in full respect for the rule of law and human rights in Iraq.
An amount of 21.3 million Euros from the EU budget covered the costs of the mission until 2007 and approximately 8 million Euros more have been allocated for the period until the end of June 2009.