Committed to protect and secure diplomatic missions, Iraq to EU

INA – BAGHDAD
 
Iraq confirmed on Wednesday, of being committed to protecting and securing diplomatic missions, as it warned regarding the danger of losing control over those inside al-Hol camp.
 
The National Security Adviser, Qassim Al-Araji received in his office the Ambassador of the European Union in Baghdad, Phil Variola and his accompanying delegation, according to the media office of the National Security Adviser in a statement received by the Iraqi News Agency – INA.
 
During the meeting, the political and security updates were reviewed in Iraq and the region, as the affirmation was exchanged in terms of the constructive continuation of cooperation between Iraq and the international community.
 
Al-Araji stressed to the European Union ambassador, "The stability of the security situation in Iraq with the continuation of the security forces efforts to combat Daesh terrorist gangs," pointing out that "the security services continue to perform their duties away from any political debate,” and that Iraq is “committed to protect and secure diplomatic missions, based on the Vienna Convention of diplomatic relations.”
 
With regard to the al-Hol camp, al-Araji warned against "losing control over those inside the camp," noting that "this would form a danger to Iraq and the world."
 
"Iraq is keen not to force Iraqi refugees in Europe whose applications have been rejected, except in accordance with the principle of voluntary return and the provision of appropriate conditions, as we are also keen to protect, embrace and care their children wherever they are, while continuing to cooperate with the European Union in combating refugee smuggling,"  noted Al-Araji.
 
He expressed Iraq's welcome to any cooperation with the European Union in all fields, especially cyber security, saying "Iraq does not want to put pressure on freedoms as much as maintaining the country's security and stability."

For his part, the European Union ambassador highlighted "the importance of Iraq's role in the Middle East and the world," stressing the European Union's continued cooperation with Iraq in the field of combating extremism leading to terrorism.

He praised Iraq's efforts in addressing the Iraqi refugee crisis in Belarus, and the Iraqi government's keenness to take quick measures that resulted in their return to the country and prevented from turning it into a humanitarian crisis, and expressed "European Union will continue supporting Iraq."