Iraq plans EU-style Middle East union

Iraq has unveiled plans for the creation of a regional economic and security union for the Middle East explicitly modelled on the European Union. Official government spokesman Ali al-Dabbagh announced the proposal in Washington at the Institute of Peace, a US government-linked think-tank, saying that talks on the plan with the country’s neighbours were already underway. Mr al-Dabbagh said there was “great interest” in the project, according to AFP. Informal discussions on the “Regional Economic Partnership” have reportedly been launched with Kuwait, Syria and Turkey, though not yet with Iran. The aim would also be to bring on board Jordan and Saudi Arabia and – in a subsequent phase – the Gulf states of Bahrain, Oman, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates, but not Israel. The proposed bloc would look to lower trade barriers and develop joint economic projects, as well as sharing water resources and electricity. Resolving border disputes and common perspectives on combating militant extremism would be on the agenda along with an aim to improve oil and gas transit and construct roads between the Persian Gulf and the Mediterranean. Iraq sees a “necessity for regional security and economic co-operation,” Mr al-Dabbagh said.

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