Brussels: Europe and the Arabs

A statement issued in Brussels by the European Union's foreign policy spokesperson on the latest developments in Iraq said, "The obstruction of the work of critical state institutions in Iraq, due to the continuing protests in Baghdad, is a matter of concern. While the right to peaceful protest is essential to democracy, all laws and state institutions must work to serve the Iraqi people. The European Union emphasizes that judicial institutions must be able to perform their functions without external pressures. The European Union welcomes the recent steps taken to de-escalate the situation and urges all parties to resolve any differences through political dialogue and within the constitutional framework. Iraq needs a government with a constitutional mandate to meet the many challenges it faces. This is also necessary for cooperation with the international community