Bush enjoys EU support of Iraqi interim government

The EU statement supporting Iraqi interim governemnt, was praised by the US President George W. Bush.

“I think the bitter differences over the war are over,” said Mr Bush. “We all agree a democratic and peaceful Iraq, with its territorial integrity intact, is in all our benefit.”

In a joint statement, the United States and the European Union said the fledgling government in Baghdad "needs and deserves the strong support of the international community" if Iraq is to become a free and democratic nation. The two also pledged to help reduce Iraq's estimated $120 billion foreign debt, support the training of the Iraqi security forces as well as the economic and political reconstruction of Iraq.

The document also said it supported United Nations' help in rebuilding Iraq and setting up elections no later than Jan. 31, 2005.

The EU statement said its members "support the training and equipping of professional Iraqi security forces, capable of assuming increasing responsibility for the country's security, as requested by Prime Minister (Iyad) Allawi."