Al-Sudani Discusses Security and Military Cooperation with the Secretary-General of NATO

INA-  BAGHDAD


Media Office of the Prime Minister said in a statement obtained by the Iraqi News Agency INA that “Prime Minister Mohammed S. Al-Sudani had a productive meeting with the Secretary-General of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), Mr. Jens Stoltenberg, on the sidelines of the Davos 54th Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum in Switzerland.”
 
The statement read “During the meeting, discussions revolved around the prospects for cooperation between Iraq and NATO, with a focus on strengthening partnerships in the security sector, the exchange of information, tracking terrorist networks, and uncovering their sources of funding.”
 
It made clear that “His Excellency expressed appreciation for the efforts of NATO member states and their support for Iraq in the contributions through military operations in the fight against ISIS terrorist groups and the valuable assistance in providing advice and training to the Iraqi security forces.”
 
“The meeting addressed the matter of concluding the presence of Coalition forces in Iraq, as outlined in the government program. This comes after significant progress achieved by the Iraqi forces in terms of preparedness and full readiness. There was a discussion on the importance of agreeing on executive steps through bilateral dialogues to facilitate the smooth transition of the Coalition's duties as it concludes its mission,” the statement further said.
 
In this context, Prime Minister Al-Sudani emphasized, according to the statement, that “Iraq is open to cooperation with Coalition member states in the fields of armament, training, and military equipment within the framework of bilateral relations between Iraq and Coalition member states.”
 
The statement additionally said that Mr. Stoltenberg commended for his part, the government's efforts and measures in enhancing the performance of the security forces, particularly in pursuing the remnants of terrorism and enhancing security and stability. He underscored NATO's eagerness for increased joint cooperation in various security fields.