MOI discusses with his Spanish counterpart the strengthening of bilateral security cooperation

Baghdad - INA 

Minister of Interior, Abdul Amir Al-Shammari, today, Thursday, discussed with his Spanish counterpart, Fernando Grande Marlaska Gómez, strengthening bilateral security cooperation between the two countries, while stressing that the great government support received by the Ministry of Interior in Iraq has reflected positively on achieving peace and security stability in the country.

The ministry said in a statement received by the Iraqi News Agency (INA): “Minister of Interior Abdul Amir al-Shammari arrived in the Spanish capital, Madrid, and made a visit to the headquarters of the Spanish Ministry of Interior. He was received by Minister Fernando Grande Marlaska Gómez, who welcomed al-Shammari, describing his visit as an important one within the framework of Security cooperation between Iraq and Spain.”.

The ministry added, "On the sidelines of the visit, the two ministers held a bilateral meeting, which was attended on behalf of the Iraqi delegation by the Ambassador of the Republic of Iraq to the Kingdom of Spain, the Commander of the Federal Police Forces, and both the Assistant and Security Advisor to the Minister of the Interior, and on the Spanish side, it was attended by Elena Garzón Otamendi, Director General of the Spanish Ministry of the Interior." Almudena Tudanca Di Francesco, Deputy Director of Cooperation for the International Police.

MOI continued, "During the meeting, a number of issues were discussed that were based on strengthening security cooperation between the two friendly countries, as the Spanish Minister of the Interior expressed his great appreciation for the efforts of the Iraqi police forces in their fight against ISIS terrorist gangs and their efforts to enhance stability and societal peace in Iraq through combating organized crime.”

The ministry pointed out that "the Spanish minister expressed his keenness to sign a security cooperation agreement between the two countries in various security, intelligence, training and exchange of experiences fields.".

For his part, Al-Shammari explained that “this visit comes as a continuation of the journey of cooperation between Iraq and Spain after the recent visit of the Spanish Prime Minister to Iraq,” indicating “Prime Minister Muhammad Shiaa Al-Sudani’s keenness to strengthen the bonds of the relationship between the two countries within the framework of common interests, the beginning of which will be joint bilateral security cooperation between the Ministries of the Interior of Iraq and Spain.”. 

In his entire speech, the Minister of Interior explained that "the great government support received by the Ministry of Interior in Iraq has had a positive impact on achieving peace and security stability in the country."