(Photo: PM Al-Sudani's media office)
Monitor
PM Al-Sudani, NATO chief hold talks on security and cooperation in Iraq
BAGHDAD — Iraq’s Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani met Wednesday in Baghdad with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte to discuss military cooperation, training, and Iraq’s defense industry, according to a statement from Al-Sudani’s media office.
The talks focused on NATO’s advisory mission in Iraq and its role in supporting the Iraqi Armed Forces. Rutte extended an invitation for Al-Sudani to attend the upcoming NATO summit in Brussels. The two officials also discussed regional developments, including the ceasefire status in Gaza and Lebanon.
Statement from PM Al-Sudani’s media office:
Prime Minister Mohammed S. Al-Sudani met today, Wednesday, the Secretary General of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), Mr. Mark Rutte, and his accompanying delegation.
The meeting discussed cooperation between Iraq and NATO, particularly in capacity-building and supporting the Iraqi Armed Forces in advisory and training fields.
The Prime Minister emphasized the importance of continued engagement to strengthen cooperation with NATO within its advisory mission in Iraq. He highlighted Iraq’s ongoing political stability, economic growth, and recovery, which enable the country to play a leading role in the region. He also reaffirmed Iraq’s commitment to maintaining a balanced position despite challenges while safeguarding its national interests and supporting regional stability efforts.
Prime Minister Al-Sudani underscored Iraq’s keen interest in the role of NATO’s advisory mission and cooperation in training, planning, and knowledge exchange. He also outlined Iraq’s ambitious defense industry program, which has received strong government backing, and expressed Iraq’s desire to collaborate with NATO in military manufacturing, particularly in defense equipment, to enhance security and deter potential threats.
For his part, the NATO Secretary General praised Iraq’s progress and extended an official invitation to Prime Minister Al-Sudani to attend the upcoming NATO summit in Brussels and deliver a speech on Iraq’s perspective. He also commended the Iraqi government’s efforts in achieving security, stability, and growth, reaffirming NATO’s commitment to strengthening its partnership with Iraq, particularly in the defense industry sector.
The meeting also addressed regional developments, including the status of the ceasefire in Gaza and Lebanon, as well as the latest situation in Syria.
