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Excellencies, Colleagues, Ladies and gentlemenWe have gathered here united by the task of responding to the needs of the Iraqi people. We talk here about money. But more importantly, are talking about real people with their real concerns, fears, frustrations- and expectations for the future. International support is indispensable- and even critical- to the people coping with the legacy of a fallen bloody dictatorship. Wee highly appreciate the decision of the Spanish Government to take up the job of organising this donors conference. We believe it will send the right sign of hope to the Iraqi people. I would also like to thank all those who by their work on the ground, often in critical conditions, have prepared the assessment of priority needs in Iraq- which will enable to use the contributions pledged here in Madrid where they are most needed. Indeed, the task of this conference is to send a clear message that the international community is firmly committed to the rapid political and economic reconstruction of a free Iraq. An early completion of the constitutional process and a tangible, real prospect of a sovereign and stable Iraq at peace with its neighbours, with a fully representative government and a functioning civil society is needed not just for the Iraqis. It is needed as a signal of commitment to this tormented region as a whole, where human tragedy and bloodshed is almost a daily fact.Security Council Resolution 1511 reaffirming Iraq’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and the temporary nature of the Coalitions powers provides for the Iraqis taking “their political destiny into their own hands”. It also provides a basis for a more significant role of the European Union in the reconstruction process. Our task is to assist the Iraqis in their endeavour. The United Nations, too, with their unique experience and legitimacy, in spite of the burning memory of a recent devastating attack and the loss of some of their brightest on the ground, must play an increasingly central role in this enormous undertaking, leading to the establishment in Iraq of an internationally recognised, fully representative government.My country is a contributor to the multinational coalition forces present in Iraq. These forces have the challenging task of ensuring the conditions of security in the country, in order that the delivery and implementation of international assistance and the political and economic reconstruction of Iraq should succeed. We believe in the importance of contributing in this field since we are aware that no real change, no reconstruction is possible without ensuring an underlying stability and security level that would enable everybody to do their job in rebuilding and helping rebuild this proud nation. Earlier this year, Lithuania transferred an established sum through the UN system for humanitarian needs in Iraq. This week, our Government decided to contribute an additional amount, within the limits of our ability, to the Facility for the reconstruction of Iraq. It is a modest contribution, but it will be made. We are also discussing the option of proposing to the Iraqi authorities training courses in selected areas. We believe that our experience of successful transition from command economy to a free market economy, of building effectively and over a short period of time national armed forces and police forces from scratch could be of considerable interest to the Iraqi authorities as they seek to transform their country and strengthen their administrative capabilities. I wish best success to this conference and rest convinced that by establishing the International Reconstruction Fund Facility for Iraq, this international donors meeting will be a major step towards the success of Iraq’s reconstruction.Thank you.