EU Offers Aid To New Iraqi Government

Schooldays in Iraq (file photo) (AFP) BRUSSELS, May 22, 2006 (RFE/RL) -- The European Commission today said it has earmarked 200 million euros in aid to Iraq this year.

Emma Udwin, a Commission spokeswoman, said the EU wants "to indicate as clearly as we can that the Iraqis will not be working on their own in this endeavor."

Udwin said 110 million of the euros will go to support the health and education sectors, as well as to create new jobs.

Udwin said the she hopes the new Iraqi government will "in the near future" also take up an EU offer to negotiate a trade and cooperation agreement.