(MENAFN- Kuwait News Agency (KUNA)) The full session of the European Parliament (EP) in Strasbourg on Wednesday underlined that all efforts should be focused to widen humanitarian aid in Iraq, taken into account that there are now more than two million people displaced or without shelter.
Speaking at the debate, MEPs said a political solution is urgently needed to set the basis in stabilizing the situation.
Kurdistan's aspiration to become in the nearer future independent is not contributing to a solution and can include unforeseen risks, they warned.
MEPs also called for the inclusion of Turkey, the Gulf States and Iran in the solution finding process, as they have influences in that region.
The EP will vote on a resolution tomorrow that calls on respecting the territory unity and integrity of Iraq.
Benedetto Della Vedova, Italian Undersecretary for Foreign Affairs, whose country holds the current EU Presidency, said "all political and religious leaders in Iraq share the responsibility for dealing with the causes that underlined this tension." "The Iraqi government in particular needs to play a role as a moderator, avoiding excesses both in word and in deed," he said.
"It is our view that the unilateral movements towards independence do not help to resolve the situation in Iraq. It could represent a risk, a problem rather for Kurdistan itself," he noted.
Portuguese MEP Ana Gomes said the Gulf countries need to be involved.
"Iraq needs urgently to form a new and inclusive multi-ethnic and multi-religious government, with the reconciliation process as a top priority on the political agenda," she said.
British MEP Richard Howit, who the foreign affairs spokesman for the Socialist Group, voiced hope that yesterday's appointment of a Sunni speaker to the Iraqi parliament can be the beginning of the formation of a truly inclusive government, representative of the diversity of the country's population.
"Noting the link between the rise of ISIS and the Syrian civil war, I also call for Europe to support regional dialogue including with Iran and Saudi Arabia, to make a reality of our commitment to promote democracy, human rights and the rule of law in Iraq," he said.
Spanish MEP Javier Couso Permuy called for a conference within the U.N. framework, so that people of Iraq can adopt a new constitution for their country, for all Iraqi people, without discrimination on the basis of sectarian lines.
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