The EU's foreign affairs chief, Kaja Kallas, on Sunday announced that the bloc will monitor the November 11 parliamentary elections in Iraq.
Speaking alongside Iraq's Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein before an EU meeting in Luxembourg, Ms Kallas called for “peaceful, inclusive and transparent” elections.
“You have elections coming up, and you have also requested EU support as independent observers of these elections, which we are also confirming,” Ms Kallas said. The November 11 Iraqi elections are the sixth since the 2003 US-led invasion of Iraq, which toppled the long-time dictator Saddam Hussein.
Campaigning has already been marred by incidents, including the killing in a car bomb of Baghdad councillor Safaa Al Mashhadani, who was a candidate for the Sovereignty Alliance, one of Iraq's largest Sunni Muslim coalitions.
“We are hoping for a stable region, so that means also democratic developments in different countries that we are trying to also observe,” Ms Kallas said.
Before the meeting, EU officials said they remained concerned about the influence of outside actors on Iraq – in an apparent reference to neighbouring Iran. The majority of Iraq's 329 MPs represent Shiite parties aligned with Iran. Several parties are linked to paramilitary armed factions.
“There are issues about the sovereignty and the outside influence over Iraq that we would like to discuss with them,” a senior EU official said ahead of the meeting. In September, the EU, alongside France and Britain, restored sanctions on Iran's trade, finance and transport sectors over its nuclear programme.
Responding to a question from The National about Iran's influence on Iraq, Mr Hussein said that it was up to Iraqis to decide. “The decision and decision-making process is in Baghdad, so the Iraqis are taking the decision,” he said.
“Of course, we follow the situation and the tension between Iran and other countries, but we are not going to be part of any conflict or any movement.”
In Luxembourg, topics discussed between Ms Kallas and Mr Hussein included migration, democracy, human rights, development co-operation, trade, energy, regional affairs and security, according to the EU council.
Addressing Ms Kallas, Mr Hussein said: “You are right that we passed the stage of talking only about security. We are now playing an important role in the region and in the area.”
EU officials have said they support Iraq moving away from security challenges to economic reforms. “For the first time, the focus of our discussions is shifting away from security towards more public services and economic progress,” Ms Kallas said.
“Looking ahead, it's crucial that the government's broader reform agenda delivers tangible results for the Iraqi people and addresses their legitimate demands for better governance and opportunities,” she added.
Iraq has, in the past decades, failed to break free from dependence on oil exports. Fiscal reforms have been blocked by politicians who benefit from a sectarian political system that favours corruption.
Earlier this week, The National revealed that the appointment of 93 new ambassadors revealed a pattern of nepotism and political quota-trading. Appointees appeared to include relatives of senior officials, political loyalists and figures linked to armed groups under sanctions.
Among the new envoys are Qais Al Amiri, brother-in-law of the US-sanctioned Popular Mobilisation Forces chief Faleh Al Fayyad, and Rahman Al Amiri, a relative of Hadi Al Amiri, leader of the Iran-backed Badr Organisation. For years, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs avoided naming new envoys because it could not balance the demands of Iraq’s competing political blocs.
You may remember …
Robbie Keane (Atletico de Kolkata) The Irish striker is, along with his former Spurs teammate Dimitar Berbatov, the headline figure in this season’s ISL, having joined defending champions ATK. His grand entrance after arrival from Major League Soccer in the US will be delayed by three games, though, due to a knee injury.
Dimitar Berbatov (Kerala Blasters) Word has it that Rene Meulensteen, the Kerala manager, plans to deploy his Bulgarian star in central midfield. The idea of Berbatov as an all-action, box-to-box midfielder, might jar with Spurs and Manchester United supporters, who more likely recall an always-languid, often-lazy striker.
Wes Brown (Kerala Blasters) Revived his playing career last season to help out at Blackburn Rovers, where he was also a coach. Since then, the 23-cap England centre back, who is now 38, has been reunited with the former Manchester United assistant coach Meulensteen, after signing for Kerala.
Andre Bikey (Jamshedpur) The Cameroonian defender is onto the 17th club of a career has taken him to Spain, Portugal, Russia, the UK, Greece, and now India. He is still only 32, so there is plenty of time to add to that tally, too. Scored goals against Liverpool and Chelsea during his time with Reading in England.
Emiliano Alfaro (Pune City) The Uruguayan striker has played for Liverpool – the Montevideo one, rather than the better-known side in England – and Lazio in Italy. He was prolific for a season at Al Wasl in the Arabian Gulf League in 2012/13. He returned for one season with Fujairah, whom he left to join Pune.
Roll of honour
Who has won what so far in the West Asia Premiership season?
Western Clubs Champions League - Winners: Abu Dhabi Harlequins; Runners up: Bahrain
Dubai Rugby Sevens - Winners: Dubai Exiles; Runners up: Jebel Ali Dragons
West Asia Premiership - Winners: Jebel Ali Dragons; Runners up: Abu Dhabi Harlequins
UAE Premiership Cup - Winners: Abu Dhabi Harlequins; Runners up: Dubai Exiles
West Asia Cup - Winners: Bahrain; Runners up: Dubai Exiles
West Asia Trophy - Winners: Dubai Hurricanes; Runners up: DSC Eagles
Final West Asia Premiership standings - 1. Jebel Ali Dragons; 2. Abu Dhabi Harlequins; 3. Bahrain; 4. Dubai Exiles; 5. Dubai Hurricanes; 6. DSC Eagles; 7. Abu Dhabi Saracens
Fixture (UAE Premiership final) - Friday, April 13, Al Ain – Dubai Exiles v Abu Dhabi Harlequins
Company Profile
Name: Thndr
Started: 2019
Co-founders: Ahmad Hammouda and Seif Amr
Sector: FinTech
Headquarters: Egypt
UAE base: Hub71, Abu Dhabi
Current number of staff: More than 150
Funds raised: $22 million
GIANT REVIEW
Starring: Amir El-Masry, Pierce Brosnan
Director: Athale
Rating: 4/5
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Uefa Champions League semi-final, second leg result:
Ajax 2-3 Tottenham
Tottenham advance on away goals rule after tie ends 3-3 on aggregate
Final: June 1, Madrid
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6.30pm: Mazrat Al Ruwayah (PA) | Group 2 | US$55,000 (Dirt) | 1,600 metres
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8.50pm: Balanchine Group 2 (TB) | $250,000 (T) | 1,800m
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9.25pm: Handicap (TB) | $135,000 (D) | 1,200m
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10pm: Handicap (TB) | $175,000 (T) | 2,410m
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Kohli (c), Dhawan, Rahul, Shaw, Pujara, Rahane (vc), Karun, Karthik (wk), Pant (wk), Ashwin, Jadeja, Pandya, Ishant, Shami, Umesh, Bumrah, Thakur, Vihari
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How much do leading UAE’s UK curriculum schools charge for Year 6?
- Nord Anglia International School (Dubai) – Dh85,032
- Kings School Al Barsha (Dubai) – Dh71,905
- Brighton College Abu Dhabi - Dh68,560
- Jumeirah English Speaking School (Dubai) – Dh59,728
- Gems Wellington International School – Dubai Branch – Dh58,488
- The British School Al Khubairat (Abu Dhabi) - Dh54,170
- Dubai English Speaking School – Dh51,269
*Annual tuition fees covering the 2024/2025 academic year
The Voice of Hind Rajab
Starring: Saja Kilani, Clara Khoury, Motaz Malhees
Director: Kaouther Ben Hania
Rating: 4/5
ACL Elite (West) - fixtures
Monday, Sept 30
Al Sadd v Esteghlal (8pm)
Persepolis v Pakhtakor (8pm)
Al Wasl v Al Ahli (8pm)
Al Nassr v Al Rayyan (10pm)
Tuesday, Oct 1
Al Hilal v Al Shorta (10pm)
Al Gharafa v Al Ain (10pm)
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-final, first leg
Bayern Munich v Real Madrid
When: April 25, 10.45pm kick-off (UAE)
Where: Allianz Arena, Munich
Live: BeIN Sports HD
Second leg: May 1, Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid
