A political discussion process has been initiated by NATO and Iraq, building on their long-standing collaboration. A group of senior Iraqi officials, headed by Qasim al-Araji, the National Security Advisor, visited Alliance Headquarters earlier today to have talks with senior NATO officials.
We work hand in hand every day to enable Iraq to build more sustainable, transparent, inclusive, and effective armed forces and security institutions that can restore long-term stability to its people. We undertake these efforts with full respect for Iraq’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Since 2018, at the request of the Iraqi authorities, our non-combat advisory and capacity building mission, NATO Mission Iraq, has advised Iraqi security institutions helping them to shore up their nation’s security, fight terrorism, and prevent the return of Daesh.
Iraq’s National Security Advisor, Qasim al-Araji, noted, “We held important meetings with the North Atlantic Council, as well as with the NATO Assistant Secretary General for Operations and the NATO Secretary General’s Special Representative for the Southern Neighbourhood.” “We reiterated to NATO the genuine, long-term cooperation between Iraq and NATO to support Iraq in attaining security and stability by advising and strengthening the capabilities of the Iraqi Security Forces. Mission of NATO Iraq has committed to maintain our constructive dialogue with NATO; our relationship is not directed against anyone; rather, it is for the benefit of a safe and stable Iraq. Iraq is a non-combat advisory mission, he continued.
“We are starting a political dialogue today to build on this successful practical cooperation. Since both NATO and Iraq are interested in a stable and secure Middle East, it is only natural that we talk about how we can work on this together,” stated Javier Colomina, the Special Representative of the NATO Secretary General for the southern neighborhood and NATO Deputy Assistant Secretary General for Political Affairs and Security Policy.
NATO’s focal point for the southern neighborhood will be the organization’s Special Representative. He will be in charge of organizing, making NATO’s activities in the south more visible, and bolstering cooperation with allies.
NATO’s involvement in the Middle East, North Africa, and the Sahel will grow as a result of the action plan that the Allies decided upon at the Washington Summit. This strategy includes the appointment of the Special Representative.
The Iraqi officials met with members of NATO’s International Staff as well as Permanent Representatives of NATO during their visit. They discussed issues of common concern, such as regional security, as well as the prospects for long-term cooperation and the NATO-Iraq alliance.
