Brussels (AINA) -- On Dcemeber 17 EU MP Esther de Lange submitted questions to the EU Iraq Commission about the status of education projects in the Nineveh Plain, in north Iraq. Commissioner Ferreo-Waldner told members of the commission that the EU has supported the Nineveh Plain region, inhabited predominantly by Assyrians (also known as Chaldeans and Syriacs), by renovating 5 schools.

Persecution of Assyrians in Mosul and its surroundings has forced most Assyrian students to stop attending school.

Esther de Lange asked for a report on the funding of schools and details of other projects being funded by the EU, as well as assessment on establishing a University in the Nineveh Plain.

The Assyria Council of Europe (ACE), an advocacy group for Iraq's Assyrians, praised the efforts of Esther de Lange, stating that during meetings with her ACE has stressed the need for a University in the Assyrian region. The Assyrians in the Nineveh Plain highly value education; for this reason ACE was pleased with de Lange's efforts and hoped the EU Commission will support this project.