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EU Parliament approves 200 mn Iraq reconstruction pledge
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.
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."