ESU delegation received at the European Parliament and the European Commission regarding the Christians in Iraq

On May 6^th and 7^th 2008, an ESU delegation composed by Mr. Fikri Aygur (ESU Vice-chairman) and Mr. Suleyman Gultekin (ESU Belgian Representative) had different meetings at the European parliament with most of the Political Groups, followed by a meeting at the European Commission.
These meetings were related to the Christians in Iraq and the demonstration organised in Brussels on 19th April 2008 to support the Chaldean-Syriac-Assyrians in Iraq.

On Tuesday 6^th May, the ESU delegation met the MEP Mrs. Baroness Nicholson of Winterbourne (ALDE, UK) who is the Iraq Delegation Chairwoman for the European Parliament.

ESU exposed the issues faced by the Christians in Iraq to the Baroness who was already aware of the problematic and the tragedy of the Chaldean-Syriac-Assyrians.

Mrs Baroness Emma Nicholson asked ESU how EU could help the Christians in Iraq and more specifically what is ESU requesting in order to help the Chaldean-Syriac-Assyrians in Iraq.
Then ESU stated that the only viable solution is to create an autonomous area for the Chaldean-Syriac-Assyrians in Iraq, in the north of the country.
ESU explained the reasons of this request and clearly mentioned that this is going along a complete respect and promotion of the National Unity of Iraq.

The ESU delegation also provided the Baroness with a folder containing information about the situation of the Chaldean-Syriac-Assyrians in Iraq and the request for the autonomous area in the north of Iraq.
The Baroness suggested to ESU delegation to also meet with the European Commission Iraq Desk.
On the other hand she requested further information from ESU about the request for the autonomous area.

After meeting the Baroness Mrs Emma Nicholson, the ESU delegation also met with the MEP Mr. Patrick Louis (ID, FR) and later with the MEP Dr. Charles Tannock (EEP, UK).

ESU similarly exposed to the MEPs the issues and the tragedy that the Christians of Iraq are living. They also explained the reasons of the request for an autonomous region in north Iraq for the Chaldean-Syriac-Assyrians, while requesting the support of the European Union.

On 7^th May the ESU delegation also met the MEP and 2^nd Vice-President of the EP Iraq Delegation Mr. Cem Ozdemir (EFA, DE) to whom it exposed the situation of the Christians in Iraq and the urgent need to have an autonomous area for the Chaldean-Syriac-Assyrians in Iraq.

Mr. Ozdemir informed ESU that a delegation from European Union will visit two areas of Iraq. The first visit will be in the centre area of Iraq and the second visit in the north of Iraq.

After that meeting, the ESU delegation also met Mrs. Karin Gutt-Rutter from the European Commission who is Political and Economic responsible in the Iraq Desk and is from the External Relations Directorate-General.
The request for an autonomous area for the Chaldean-Syriac-Assyrians has been received with attention during all meetings and as well as with Mrs. Karin Gutt-Rutter.
The autonomous area has been discussed in detail to some extend. Financial and political questions have also been raised and discussed about the autonomous area.

All the meetings were positive and encouraged European Syriac Union to continue to work hard to ensure the safety and the rescue of their community in Iraq and in the whole Middle-East.
It has been agreed to keep the contacts and stay in touch will all parties.

European Syriac Union