Tal
Tal vid ministermöte i Sharm el-Sheikh i Egypten 3 maj 2007
Tobias Billström, Migrationsminister

Tal vid ministermöte i Sharm el-Sheikh i Egypten

(Your Excellency Prime Minister Al-Maliki, Your Excellency Secretary General Ban Ki Moon, Your Royal Highnesses, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen, )

Allow me to begin by commending the prime organisers of this eminent gathering, the Government of the Republic of Iraq and the United Nations, for their efforts and hard work to assemble the International Community in this way in order to address the serious situation in Iraq. Let me also express our gratitude to the Government of Egypt for hosting us all.

We all share the vision of an Iraq that is united and free, secure and safe, stable and at peace with itself and its neighbours, allowing its citizens to enjoy freedom from internal and external threats, from sectarian and inter-communal violence, but also to enjoy economic and social prosperity, democracy, human rights, law and order and justice.

Our gathering is, however, a testimony to the fact that this vision at present is far away. The massive displacement of Iraqi citizens, in Iraq and in the region can be reversed only by achieving internal stability. That said, Sweden would like to commend the Iraqi government for its commitments made in Geneva to step up aid to Iraqis displaced in neighbouring countries.

Our Compact is an ambitious programme to address the ills that are currently plaguing Iraq. As members of the International Community, we have a responsibility to assist the Government of Iraq and its people to find a path that leads away from the present dire situation, and that replaces despair with hope. To enable this a basic precondition for the Compact to succeed is broad and strong support in Iraq, rooted at popular level among all political parties and groups.

Without a strong and unified Iraqi will to implement the agenda set out in the Compact, without wisdom and willingness to compromise, the road ahead will be difficult. The International Community can, and should, provide sustained support, strong encouragement and good offices. But, as laid down in the Compact, the Iraqi leaders have to take upon themselves the responsibility of bringing peace and stability to their people.

By abstaining from acting in a way that could be interpreted as taking sides, regional and neighbouring states can and should contribute constructively and in a positive spirit. Confidence building and cooperation are particularly necessary between regional actors to address challenges in Iraq and beyond. If capitalised on, the confidence building effect of the ICI will be of significance for Iraq, its people and the region.

We attach great expectations that regional cooperation will be enhanced as a result of our deliberations today and tomorrow.

The Compact presents an agenda that is far reaching. We must, however, keep our expectations at a realistic level. Ambitions set too high, or unrealistic goals and timescales, might lead to disappointment and loss of hope. Given the complex situation in Iraq, it would be wise to focus on one step forward at the time.

Sweden's support will continue to be directed towards priority areas as stated by the Government of Iraq in the International Compact with Iraq. Planning at national level is certainly necessary for development, but needs to be complemented by a bottom-up approach. Small steps at local level would contribute to the achievement of stability and progress at the national level. This will contribute to the achievement of the Compact's shared vision of a stable and prosperous Iraq.

The Iraqi people can be assured of Sweden's sustained support and commitment.

Thank you,