WASHINGTON, June 1 (Xinhuanet) -- The United States and the European Union (EU) will host an international conference on Iraq on June 22, the US State Department said in a statement on Wednesday.

    The statement said the holding of the conference followed a request from the new Iraqi transitional government and will be co-hosted by the United States and the EU at the foreign minister level in Brussels on June 22, 2005.

    "The aim of the conference is to provide a forum for the new Iraqi transitional government to present its priorities, vision and strategies for the transition period leading up to the next round of elections toward the end of the year," the statement said.

    "It is also an opportunity to mobilize international support for the Iraqi transitional government and its institutions," the statement said.

    It added that the conference will discuss Iraq's political process, economic challenges and reconstruction, public order and the rule of law. Over 80 countries and international organizationshave been invited. Enditem