Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi met on Wednesday with NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg at NATO headquarters in Brussels, Belgium. The meeting discussed the collaborative and partnership relations between Iraq and NATO member states in various fields, including political, economic, security, and commercial aspects. They also discussed measures to expand the NATO mission in Iraq according to Iraqi security priorities and in prior coordination with the government.
Al-Kadhimi emphasized the importance of developing relations between Iraq and NATO for the benefit of the Iraqi people and the stability of the region and the world, asserting that Iraq should not be a battleground for settling conflicts or a launchpad for aggression against any of its neighbors.
Support for Iraqi Forces
He reiterated the necessity of cooperation with NATO to enhance the efficiency and capabilities of Iraqi security forces in all its forms, especially in preparation for securing the upcoming early elections and enhancing their capabilities to protect against terrorist attacks on citizens and infrastructure.
For his part, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg welcomed al-Kadhimi and his accompanying delegation, praising his significant role, efforts, and leadership of Iraq amid the significant challenges facing Iraq, the region, and the world.
Readiness for Cooperation
Stoltenberg confirmed that NATO member states would continue to support Iraq, congratulating the Iraqi government on the progress made in combating ISIS and terrorist groups, as well as in reinforcing the state's authority and the rule of law. He expressed NATO's readiness to expand cooperation between Iraq and the alliance, clarifying that the mission in Iraq is non-combat and purely training and advisory in nature, and any expansion of its framework would be according to the request, approval, and priorities of the Iraqi government. He also mentioned that the mission would rely on Iraqi security forces to provide its security and protection.
