EU/IRAQ : EU WELCOMES AGREEMENT ON CAMP ASHRAF.

A memorandum of understanding was signed between the Iraqi government and the United Nations, on 25 December 2011, on the transfer of 3,000 Camp Ashraf residents to another transit location, where the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) will proceed with the verification of their status and facilitate their repatriation to other countries. "The entire international community will be able to follow closely the whole process and the EU intends to bring its support to this whole arrangement," said High Representative Catherine Ashton.

Iraq also agreed to extend the 31 December deadline for the evacuation of the camp. The residents and the international community now have until April 2012 to settle the situation. The only condition was that between 400 and 800 residents had to be transferred to other countries before the end of 2011. According to Maryam Rajavi, leader of the People's Mojahedin Organisation of Iran (MEK), 400 residents were ready to move on 30 December.

"The EU fully supports this...