BRUSSELS - European Union (EU) on Thursday authorized the signing of a partnership and cooperation agreement with Iraq.

According to an EU press release, this agreement will mark the first ever contractual relation between the two sides, and provides a legal framework covering issues from regular political dialogue to trade relations and regulatory cooperation, and development assistance.

"The agreement underlines the EU's determination to play a significant role in Iraq's transition and will be the main vehicle for the EU's support to Iraq and further enhancement of EU-Iraq relations," said the statement.

Last Sunday, the last batch of US combat forces in Iraq departed and crossed into neighboring Kuwait, marking the end of nearly nine-year military presence in the war-torn country.