Al-Kadhimi Stresses The Importance Of Developing Relations Between Iraq And NATO

Baghdad / NINA / - Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kadhimi stressed the importance of developing relations between Iraq and NATO for the interest of the Iraqi people and the stability of the region and the world. Al-Kadhimi stressed, during his meeting with NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg, at NATO headquarters in the Belgian capital, Brussels, the importance of Iraq not being an arena for settling conflicts, or a springboard for aggression against any of its neighbors. The meeting discussed, according to a statement by Al-Kadhimi's office, relations of cooperation and partnership between Iraq and NATO countries in various fields, political, economic, security and trade, and also discussed with him measures to expand the framework of the NATO mission in Iraq according to Iraqi security priorities and in prior coordination with the government. Al-Kadhimi pointed to the importance of developing relations between Iraq and NATO for the interest of the Iraqi people and the stability of the region and the world, stressing the importance that Iraq not be an arena for settling conflicts, or a springboard for aggression against any of its neighbors. The Prime Minister stressed the need to cooperate with NATO to support the efficiency and capabilities of our forces and security institutions of all kinds, especially in the context of preparing to secure the upcoming early elections, as well as enhancing their capabilities to protect against terrorist and criminal attacks against citizens and infrastructure. For his part, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg welcomed Al-Kadhimi and his accompanying delegation, praising his role, his great efforts and his leadership of Iraq in light of the great challenges facing Iraq, the region and the world. Stoltenberg stressed that NATO countries will continue to support Iraq, and said, "Iraq can count on the support of NATO and its countries for your government and the approach that it is working on." He also congratulated the Iraqi government for the progress it has made in combating ISIS gangs and terrorist groups, and imposing the prestige of the state and the rule of law. The Secretary-General of NATO expressed his readiness to expand cooperation between Iraq and the alliance, noting at the same time that the mission in Iraq is a non-combat mission of a purely training and advisory nature, and that any expansion of its work framework will be in accordance with the request, approval and priorities of the Iraqi government, as he indicated that the mission will depend on the Iraqi security forces to provide its security and protection." / End