The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Cowen, speaking for the EU presidency, has condemned today's assassination of Iraq's deputy foreign minister, Mr. Bassam Qubba.
"The unanimous adoption last week by the UN Security Council of a resolution on Iraq has demonstrated the support of the international community for the interim government which will take power in Baghdad at the end of the month," Mr Cowen said in a statement.
"There can be no justification for attacks on members of the new government and they run directly counter to the interests of the Iraqi people."
Mr Cowen extended sympathy to Mr Qubba's family and colleagues.