Strasbourg (France), Oct 23: The European Parliament approved a pledge today of 200 million (US$233 million) in reconstruction aid for Iraq from the European Union's 2004 Budget. Conservatives in the parliament failed to muster backing for a bid to increase the EU's offer at this week's International donors' conference to 500 million (US$589 million). The 626-member EU Assembly instead backed the sum proposed by EU external relations commissioner Chris Patten, which was also approved by EU governments last week. Individual EU nations are expected to add their own contributions at the conference that opened today in Madrid. EU Budget Commissioner Michaele Schreyer said the decision showed the parliament "has now clearly said it wants to help the people in Iraq."