4. Welcomes the clause in the partnership and cooperation agreement concerning cooperation between the EU and Iraq in relation to the accession of Iraq to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC); stresses the importance of the EU providing maximum support for Iraq’s ratification of and accession to the Rome Statute as soon as possible, and for the implementation of international human rights standards and instruments as a matter of priority; applauds, in this respect, the clause in the partnership and cooperation agreement on cooperation in the promotion and effective protection of human rights in Iraq, with the cave
...[+++]at that failure by Iraq to protect, enhance and respect human rights would negatively affect cooperation and economic development programmes; stresses the importance of maintaining strict conditionality on the basis of the principle of ‘more for more’ and the need to put greater emphasis on the importance of substantial progress in relation to human rights in Iraq; welcomes the pledge by the Iraqi Government to promote effective dialogue with civil society and promote its effective participation;