According to the minister the proposals provide more flexibility to shape future rural development plans to meet the changing needs of the rural economy and rural communities.

BBC: Debate on CAP reform

Its average daily production last year was over 3.4 million barrels--some 11% of the OPEC total--well ahead of countries like Kuwait and Nigeria (see chart, p. 40), and 50% more than Iraq needs to finance its ambitious development plans.

FORBES: Iraq: The Oil, C'est Moi