PM welcomes 'important and historic' constitution

29 August 2005

Tony Blair has spoken about the announcement of the new Iraqi constitution.

Recognising the 'complex task' presented by the ethnic and religious diversity of the country, he said the agreed text was a 'testimony to the determination of the Iraqi people to build a free, secure and democratic future.'

• EU Presidency statement (opens in new window)

Read the PM's statement in full

The announcement of a new Iraqi constitution is an important and historic achievement. 

The ethnic and religious diversity of Iraq made this a particularly complex task. But compromise is the essence of democracy.  This text is testimony to the determination of the Iraqi people to build a free, secure and democratic future. It protects the rights of all Iraq's communities and the unity of Iraq.

The small minority who have chosen violence over democracy will no doubt respond with bloodshed and intimidation.  But they can be defeated if Iraq's communities work together to build a unified Iraq in which the rights and interests of all are respected.  It is vital that each of those communities participate fully in the democratic political process, including the referendum in October and elections in December. 

The United Kingdom will continue to support the Iraqi people as they work for a democratic and united future in Iraq.