Speech by the NATO Secretary General at the Iraqi Defence University | September 18, 2019

Speech by the NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg at the Iraqi Defence University

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Transcript

Generals, officers, ladies and gentlemen, it is a great pleasure for me to be here today. Thank you for that kind introduction, it’s really a pleasure to be back in Iraq. And to be together with you here today is to be together with military and civilian leaders who play a vital role in ensuring Iraq’s democratic future. Yesterday I visited the Military Communications School in Taji and that was really interesting, a very promising visit. And lastly I met with Iraqi officers and instructors in Besmaya, at the Iraqi Bomb Disposal School where the NATO Mission is providing trainers.

They have been learning to counter improvised explosive devices, remove mines, and dispose of explosive ordinance. I’m always humbled by the dedication of your troops, your determination to protect the Iraqi people, and to bring stability back to your homeland and region.

With the support of the Global Coalition, including all NATO Allies, Iraq has been at the forefront of the fight against Daesh. You have fought bravely, and you have successfully broken the grip of terrorism. Liberating all of your country, freeing millions of people from oppression, and allowing Iraqi citizens to return back home. This victory makes Iraq safer, it makes the region safer, and it makes NATO Allies safer too.

Daesh’s self-proclaimed the caliphate is over, but the fight against terrorism is not. And we must ensure that Daesh can never return and that we can not only win the war, but also win the peace. And that is why NATO is providing a Non-Combat Training Mission in Iraq, at the request of your government. And I’m really pleased to see that this mission is progressing well.

Hundreds of trainers and support staff from NATO Allies and partners, including Australia, Finland, and Sweden are now in Iraq, working under the command of Major General Dany Fortin. And now I’d like to take this opportunity to thank all those involved.

Our Mission in Iraq, it provides strategic advice and practical support and training to both civilian and military leaders, multiplying the effectiveness and maximizing cooperation between all involved. We are working with the Prime Minister’s National Operation Center, the Ministry of Defense, and the Office of the National Security Adviser. We are cooperating with Iraq’s highest military education institutions, this includes the National Defense College and the War College, and we are supporting the network of military schools and academies in the Baghdad area, Basmaya and Taji. These schools are training Iraqi soldiers in areas like military medicine, engineering and intelligence, communications and countering improvised explosive devices. Our support is helping develop a core group of instructors and trainers and a network of highly professional, effective military schools. Ultimately, this is about creating a cadre of committed Iraqi instructors, training Iraqi soldiers and educating Iraqi leaders, so you can build the forces you need for the future. And experience has shown us that training national forces is one of the best weapons we have in the global fight against terrorism, and in support of open, free, and democratic societies.

NATO’s role in Iraq is based on partnership and inclusiveness, with full respect for your sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity. Our Mission here is part of a wider international effort to help Iraq to eradicate terrorism, and we will continue to coordinate closely with the Global Coalition, the United Nations and the European Union, to ensure our support is as effective as possible. Iraq’s efforts, in turn, are part of the broader fight against global terrorism. It is in all our interests to ensure regional stability, and to address the shared challenges and threats we face.

NATO is playing its role as an active member of the Global Coalition Against Daesh, helping to build national capacity in Jordan and Tunisia, and providing training, advice, and assistance to the Afghan Security Forces. Together we can continue to root out terrorism wherever it exists, with determination and solidarity.

Today Prime Minister Abdul-Mahdi and I also discussed the security situation in the region. I condemn the attacks against civilian oil facilities in Saudi Arabia. Any disruption of global energy supplies is clearly of concern to all NATO Allies. We are monitoring developments carefully and with concern. I urge all parties to prevent further such incidents which pose a serious threat to regional security.

Ladies and gentlemen, today Iraq is more stable and secure than it has been for years. You can count on NATO’s continued support and partnership, as you continue to rebuild your homeland. In return, I know that we can count on you to lead Iraq to a brighter, more peaceful future. Thank you so much, and with that, I’m happy also to answer your questions.

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