The European Union (EU) on Monday promised more aid to support the newly-formed Iraqi government in rebuilding the war-torn country.

Benita Ferrero-Waldner, the EU's commissioner for external relations and European neighborhood policy, said that the EU would provide 200 million euros (256 million U.S. dollars) for Iraq in the areas of public health, education and law.

The 25-member bloc has provided a total of 518 million euros (663 million dollars) for Iraq from 2003 to 2005, according to media reports.

The 25-nation bloc "warmly welcomes" the formation of the Iraqi government, said a statement issued by Austria, which currently holds the EU presidency.

It said the setting up of the new government symbolized the end of the transitional period in Iraq and was conducive to the Middle East country's political and economic reconstruction.

"This will represent another important step towards national consensus and will contribute to the stabilization of the country and its further integration into the international community," the statement said.

In the statement, the EU also promised continued aid for Iraq's reconstruction.

On Saturday, Iraq's Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki submitted his cabinet line-up with three key portfolios unfilled: interior, defense and national security affairs.

The government was approved by Iraq's parliament at a special session on the same day and became the first full-term government since the U.S.-led invasion in March 2003.

Source: Xinhua