FINAL COMMUNIQUE OF THE SEVENTH MEETING
OF THE NEIGHBORING COUNTRIES OF IRAQ

Amman, Jordan
January 6, 2005

At the invitation of the Government of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, the seventh meeting of the Foreign Ministers of the neighboring countries of Iraq was convened in Amman on Thursday 6 January 2005, to discuss the situation in Iraq and its effects on the region, building on the progress already achieved in their previous meetings to support the political process in Iraq including the Iraqi Interim Government's endeavors in restoring internal stability, consolidating national unity and laying the foundation for a democratic Iraq.

Participating in the meeting were their Highness and Excellencies the Foreign Ministers of the Kingdom of Bahrain, the Arab Republic of Egypt, the Republic of Iraq, the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, the State of Kuwait, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Arab Republic of Syria, the Republic of Turkey, and the Deputy Foreign Minister of the Islamic Republic of Iran.

His Excellency Mr. Ashraf Qazi, the Special Representative of the Secretary General of the United Nations also attended the meeting.

Taking note of the previous meetings of Iraq's neighboring countries, the informal meeting held in Sharm El-Sheikh on Nov. 22, 2004, the Sixth meeting of the Group held in Cairo on July 21, 2004 which pointed out that the efforts of the neighboring countries should aim at the benefit of the Iraqi people and the interest for stability and security in the region, and taking note of the meeting of the Ministers of Interior of Iraq's neighboring countries held in Tehran on 30 Nov.- 1 Dec. 2004, the Foreign Ministers agreed :

To reconfirm their respect for the sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity and national unity of Iraq, as well as the relevance of the principles of non-interference in internal affairs as articulated in the UN Charter and the principle of good neighborly relations. They also affirm the right of the Iraqi people to a secure and stable life and to determine freely their future through democratic means, while exercising full control over their natural and financial resources; the Ministers thus commit themselves to support the Iraqi people in reaching these goals.

To stress the leading role of the United Nations in supporting the political process in Iraq as stipulated in paragraphs 4 and 7 of Security Council Resolution 1546. The Ministers appreciate the leading role the UN has played by providing advice and support for the process of holding elections, including the recent decision to deploy more electoral staff to Iraq to help with preparations for elections. The Ministers underline the importance of the United Nations and encourage it in its role in promoting national dialogue and consensus-building with regard to the constitution to be decided by the people of Iraq in 2005. Towards this end, the Ministers call upon the international community to provide the required assistance to protect the UN personnel in Iraq.

In tandem with the role of the United Nations, the Ministers welcome the supporting role of the League of Arab States in all the efforts that will lead to the positive outcome of the political process in Iraq to enable it to resume its active role as a founding member of the Arab League. The Ministers also welcome the positive contribution of the Organization of the Islamic Conference to the ongoing political process.

To take note of all steps taken so far to achieve democracy in Iraq and to support the steps taken by the Interim Government of Iraq to hold general elections on 30 January 2005, leading to a Transitional National Assembly, which will assume its responsibility towards forming a Transitional Government and drafting a constitution for Iraq, to reach a constitutionally elected Government by 31 December 2005, in line with the timetable endorsed in the Security Council Resolution 1546. They also confirm their readiness to cooperate with the Interim Government of Iraq, to broaden the political participation in the spirit of national dialogue and consensus building, to promote Iraq's transition to a united, democratic and pluralistic state, with a federal structure if so decided by the Iraqi people, in which political and human rights are observed, and bilateral and regional treaties and agreements are respected by all countries concerned, while living in peace with its neighbors.

In this regard the Ministers urge all segments of the broad spectrum of the Iraqi People to take up their duty in the forthcoming elections; thus contributing to the shaping of their future, as the elections represent the only opportunity in sight along the path of democracy and freedom.

To condemn all acts of terrorism in Iraq and in the region against civilians and holy places and call for the immediate cessation of all such acts in order to alleviate the suffering of the Iraqi people and the peoples of the region, preserve the lives of the innocent and display respect for their human rights. They also call on all parties to avoid use of force, violence inflicted on civilians, and to exercise maximum self-restraint. They support the efforts of the Interim Government of Iraq as well as other countries to deal resolutely, in accordance with international humanitarian law and relevant Security Council resolutions, with the terrorist presence in Iraq and terrorist activities in, from and to Iraq which threaten the security of its neighbors.

To condemn all acts of abduction and assassination, including those of transporters, civilians working in local and foreign firms for the reconstruction of Iraq, international and humanitarian organizations that provide assistance to the Iraqi people, members of diplomatic missions and journalists. They also call on all parties to intensify their efforts to support the Interim Government of Iraq in confronting criminal activities.

To call on all parties concerned to continue to take practical steps to contribute to the stability of Iraq, and reaffirm the obligations of United Nations member states under UNSC 1546 to prevent the transit of terrorists to and from Iraq, the provision of arms and funds to terrorists. The Ministers stress the importance of the resolve of the neighboring countries of Iraq and call on all concerned international parties to intensify cooperation to control the Iraqi borders.

To that end the Ministers welcome the results of the meeting of the Ministers of Interior of Iraq and its neighboring countries that was held in Tehran on Nov.30 - Dec.1, 2004, and reconfirm their resolve to implement the commitments agreed upon in that meeting, especially on the need to enhance mutual cooperation on border security and cross-border movement, supporting of the fight against terrorism and illegal movement of funds for terrorist activities, smuggling of goods, arms and narcotic-drugs across borders.

The Ministers also welcome Interior Ministers' agreement regarding their countries' readiness to provide training and equipment to the Iraqi Police Force and border guards.

To point out that the mission of the Multi National Force in Iraq is to act in cooperation with the Iraqi Interim Government in providing necessary security for the progress of the political process, until completion, whereby the mandate of the Multi National Force shall expire in accordance with paragraphs 4 and 12 of UNSCR 1546. In this regard the Ministers recognize the importance of the consent of the sovereign Government of Iraq on the presence of this Force which shall act in accordance with the International Law including the obligations under International Humanitarian Law as noted in UNSCR 1546.

To reiterate the importance of bringing to justice members of the previous Iraqi Regime who have committed war crimes against Kuwait and Iran and crimes against humanity among the Iraqi People.

The Ministers support the upcoming meeting of the follow-up mechanism of the Sharm El Sheikh International Ministerial Meeting on Iraq, to be held in Cairo on January 11, 2005.

To stress the need for continued dialogue amongst the Neighboring Countries and Iraq in order to discuss the developments in the political process and ways and means of helping Iraq to achieve stability, security and unity and territorial integrity.

The Ministers welcome the invitation extended by Turkey to hold the next meeting in Istanbul.

Express their appreciation to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan for hosting the meeting.