National Security Advisor Qasim Al-Araji met with the new European Union Ambassador to Baghdad, Thomas Seiler.

During the meeting, according to a statement by the National Security Chancellory, files and issues of common concern were discussed, especially the file of Al-Hawl camp, the displaced, and security, intelligence, and advisory cooperation.

Al-Araji confirmed during the meeting that Iraq attaches great importance to the European Union and looks forward to developing the growing relationship with it and benefiting from it in the field of exchanging experiences and information.

He pointed out that the goal of the Iraqi government is to close the Syrian Al-Hawl camp permanently, reiterating Iraq’s demand for countries to return their nationals from the camp, indicating that Iraq has defeated the terrorist ISIS militarily, but combating extremist ideology requires a broad program, and that the international community must remain prepared to fight extremism.

Al-Araji stressed that drugs are the first danger in Iraq, and that the Prime Minister personally supervises the follow-up of this file.

Regarding what is happening in the Palestinian territories, Al-Araji reiterated that Iraq rejected collective punishment in Gaza, stressing the necessity of stopping the displacement and escalation, stopping the war, and not invading Gaza, because it will ignite the entire region, and Palestine must also be given legitimate rights as a way to end the conflict.

For his part, Thomas Seiler stressed the importance of not expanding what is happening in Gaza, emphasizing not stopping humanitarian support for the Palestinian people, appreciating what Iraq is doing to stop the escalation in Palestine.

Seiler pointed out that the European Union is focusing on helping Iraq in the security sector, upgrading the security services, and cooperating in the field of combating terrorism and the refugee issue./End

Source: National Iraqi News Agency