Stoltenberg: NATO and Iraq continue to work against terrorism

BRUSSELS, Sept 16 (KUNA) -- NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg met with the Foreign Minister of Iraq Fuad Mohammad Hussein at NATO Headquarters in Brussels Wednesday and discussed the relations between the 30-member Alliance and Iraq.
According to a NATO statement, Stoltenberg has stressed that NATO and Iraq are continuing to work closely together in the fight against terrorism.
He praised the Iraqi security forces for their sacrifices in the fight against the so-called "Islamic State" (also known in Arabic as Daآ’esh).
Stoltenberg underlined that NATO remains committed to helping Iraq strengthen its security forces and is now considering how to step up the allianceآ’s efforts in Iraq, in full coordination with the Iraqi government.
He noted that on the request of the Iraqi government, NATO in October 2018 agreed to establish the NATO Mission Iraq (NMI) as a non-combat training and capacity-building mission, conducted with full respect of Iraq's sovereignty and territorial integrity.
The NATO chief shared his deepest sympathies for those affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and reaffirmed NATO Alliesآ’ commitment to continue supporting Iraq in responding to this crisis.
He also welcomed Prime Minister al-Kadhimiآ’s continued efforts to pursue a comprehensive reform process to make Iraq more secure for its people and the region, added the statement. (end) nk.rk