Iraqi interior minister signs security cooperation agreement with Qatari counterpart

BAGHDAD, October 23 — Iraqi Interior Minister Abdul Amir Al-Shammari signed a security cooperation agreement with his Qatari counterpart, Minister of Interior Khalifa bin Hamad, in Doha on Monday.

The leaders also reportedly discussed training cooperation between police academies in both countries.

A statement of the Iraqi ministry’s press office said:

In response to a fraternal invitation extended to the Iraqi Minister of Interior, Mr. Abdul Amir Al-Shammari, by his Qatari counterpart and the Commander of the Internal Security Force, His Excellency Sheikh Khalifa bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani, a meeting took place today, Monday. The Qatari Minister of Interior warmly welcomed Mr. Al-Shammari who expressed his sincere gratitude for the fraternal invitation.

During the meeting, both sides discussed cooperation in areas of mutual security interest, which serve the common security interests of both countries and the region. Furthermore, the meeting included the signing of a bilateral agreement between both parties, reaffirming the continuation and expansion of fraternal collaborative mechanisms. This entails ongoing security cooperation and coordination between the two countries, in accordance with the provisions of the previously signed memorandum of understanding.

The discussions also covered cooperation in the field of training, as well as all matters related to the Ministry of Interior’s work. This cooperation extends to providing technical and technological support to security units and entities on both sides. Moreover, training collaboration between police academies and international cooperation in addressing the new challenges posed by cross-border crime were highlighted. These proposed collaborative efforts are agreed upon through points of contact for international cooperation in both countries.

On the sidelines of this visit, Mr. Al-Shammari visited the General Directorate for Drug Control at the Qatari Ministry of Interior. This visit was followed by a tour of the Joint Operations Center, during which the Iraqi Minister of Interior gained insight into their work processes, as well as the technologies utilized in the State of Qatar.