Iraqi Prime Minister Muhammad Shia’ al-Sudani reaffirmed the government's commitment to providing protection for diplomatic missions and advisors working in Iraq, as well as assisting the NATO mission in carrying out its tasks agreed upon with the Iraqi government.
The media office of al-Sudani stated in a release received by "Baghdad Today" that he met this morning with Dutch Defense Minister Kajsa Ollongren and her accompanying delegation. During the meeting, they discussed bilateral relations between the two countries and ways to enhance cooperation in all areas. They also addressed the common issues that will be discussed during the Prime Minister's visit to the Netherlands, based on the formal invitation from the Dutch Prime Minister.
The statement added that the Prime Minister appreciated the Netherlands' efforts in assisting Iraq during its war against terrorism under NATO. He emphasized his rejection of any aggression against Iraq’s territory or any infringement on its sovereignty.
Al-Sudani reiterated the government's commitment to providing protection for diplomatic missions and advisors working in Iraq, as well as assisting the NATO mission in carrying out its agreed-upon tasks with the Iraqi government. He pointed out the government’s decision to reorder the relationship with the international coalition and shift to a higher level of bilateral relations and cooperation with coalition countries.
He confirmed that the expanding circle of conflict in the region is due to the continued war in Gaza and the brutal crimes committed by the occupying authorities against the Palestinian people, calling on the international community to exert pressure to stop the genocide and policies of killing and starvation, as well as to restrain the opening of other fronts that lead to destabilization in the region and the world.
For her part, Ollongren expressed her gratitude for the Prime Minister’s efforts to maintain security and stability and activate good relations between Iraq and the Netherlands, affirming that her government agrees with al-Sudani's vision that victory over ISIS necessitates changing the mission of the international coalition and transitioning to equal bilateral relations, following the development of Iraq's security forces' capabilities.
She also confirmed that the Netherlands would assume command of the NATO mission in Iraq in mid-this year and would work with the Iraqi government to achieve its new vision through the European advisory mission.
