Italian Ambassador To NINA: Preparations Underway For An International Conference For The Reconstruction Of Iraq Sponsored By Donor Countries In Kuwait

BAGHDAD (NINA) 23, March: Italian Ambassador to Iraq Marco Carlinos said there are joint technical discussions to provide Iraq with helicopters being negotiated for supplying them in the coming period to develop the capabilities of the Iraqi security forces. "The Italian government has ongoing negotiations with the Iraqi side to provide the federal police forces with 10 helicopters in the coming period, and they would be equipped with modern techniques to monitor the terrorist groups," Carlinos said in an interview with the Iraqi National News Agency (NINA). He pointed out that "negotiations are continuing by the two sides, and there are financial issues related to the current economic situation, still under discussion to be agreed on mechanisms to pay the contracts for those aircraft." The Italian ambassador revealed that "there are preparations for a major international conference to support and reconstruct Iraq, adding that it would be held in Kuwait and sponsored by donor countries, to be determined later," adding that "the Italian government has provided many undeclared loans to Iraq, which will be reimbursed in long term and do not include high interest rate in return ". He added that "the government of his country provided 99 billion Euros to support and rehabilitate the maintenance of the Mosul Dam before the signing of the government contract with Trevi, and this is part undeclared loan, as well as 260 billion Euros allocated to contribute to the reconstruction of liberated areas and the return of displaced," noting that " The maintenance of the Mosul dam is currently underway by Trevi and the dam is currently much better than the previous period. " On Italy's contribution to fight against terrorism and Daesh, he explained that "the number of Italian advisers and trainers working to train Iraqi forces in the framework of the International Coalition against Daesh is 1400 trainers and consultants, which is the second largest international mission within the coalition after the United States," stressing that "Italy contributed to train The Federal Police, Peshmerga, Rapid Reaction Squads and Anti terror forces, and is constantly working to develop the capabilities of these forces in facing terrorism. " On the file of the protection Iraqi relics, Carlinos said that "his country has more than 10 missions operating in Iraq, and they have conducted a comprehensive electronic survey for all the sites that were under the control of the terrorists, and there is coordination with the International Coalition to protect those sites and not target them during liberation operations and expel Daesh. "/ End