Stockholm, 29 May: The Slovenian presidency of the EU welcomed on Thursday the Annual Review Conference of the International Compact with Iraq, which kicked off in Stockholm, Sweden. The presidency also expressed strong support for the Iraqi government and reiterated EU's commitment to contribute to the political and economic reconstruction of Iraq. He added that further improvements in the security situation in Iraq were vital for building a stable and prosperous state. The EU "condemns all acts of terrorism in all its forms in Iraq and calls for the immediate cessation of all such acts," and "supports the Iraqi government's increasing efforts in combating terrorism and sectarian violence and to disarm militia forces." The minister also said that the EU was ready to offer its expertise for the political process and economic reconstruction wherever the Iraqi government deemed this helpful. He added that the EU committed to provide further assistance to basic services and to strengthen Iraqi institutions and capacities to unlock Iraq's own resources.