Iraqi PM meets with US Defense Secretary
The Iraqi Prime Minister, Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani, visited on Monday the headquarters of the US Department of Defense, where he met with the US Secretary of Defense, Lloyd Austin.
Al-Sudani reaffirmed the government’s desire to keep the two countries’ relations intact, noting that ten years had passed since the international coalition was formed to fight ISIS, in which the Iraqi people had made great sacrifices, according to a statement released by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO).
The Iraqi Prime Minister said that the country values the assistance and collaboration it receives from allies and the international community in the fight against terrorism.
Al-Sudani confirmed that security services in Iraq have reached a high level of readiness. He also emphasized the beginning of work toward a partnership through the Higher Coordinating Committee (HCC) to assess the country’s military situation and ISIS risks, as well as the security services’ capacity to produce recommendations about when the international coalition’s mission should come to an end.
The Iraqi Premier noted that the concerned committee will hold its second meeting in July to promote bilateral cooperation in accordance with the Iraqi constitution and the strategic framework agreement.
The Iraqi Prime Minister expressed that his country is eager to form security partnerships and is interested in acquiring knowledge, weapons, and experience, given the current circumstances in the region, where everyone agrees that maintaining stability and preventing escalation that could jeopardize security are crucial.
Al-Sudani also expressed his belief that Iraq and the United States will remain partners in their alliance.
Austin emphasized his support for what Iraq is doing in the fight against terrorism and expressed gratitude for the continued relationship that has been strengthened under Al-Sudani’s government.
The US Defense Secretary expressed his country’s aspiration to establish a sustainable security relationship between Iraq and the US, and as part of this transitional work, an agreement was reached on joint security cooperation last August, leading to the formation of the Higher Military Committee.
Austin underlined the depth of the two countries’ agreement as well as their deep collaboration in security matters and their intention to have discussions leading up to a strategic partnership.
