“In recognition of the fact that Iraq's present crisis and the country's longer term prospects for stability and prosperity are intricately interwoven, ministers gave considerable thought to Iraq's long-term prosperity and how EU-Iraq relations can help to unlock the country's full potential,” reads a statement from the Kurdistan Regional Government’s (KRG) Department of Foreign Relations issued.
The meeting in Brussels on Tuesday was the second one of the Cooperation Council under the EU-Iraq Partnership and Cooperation Agreement. Europe’s High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Federica Mogherini, the Iraqi Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ibrahim al-Jaafari, and the KRG’s Head of Foreign Relations Falah Mustafa Bakir attended the meeting.
According to the KRG’s mission to the EU, this was the first time the KRG participated in the EU-Iraqi meeting.
Today at Iraq-EU Council meeting in which the KRG participated for the first time. @DelavarAjgeiy @FalahMustafa pic.twitter.com/gGVQRZzrsy
— KRG Mission to EU (@KrgEuro) October 18, 2016
The ministers discussed the Mosul offensive and the immediate humanitarian challenges. They focused on priority issues of education for displaced children and removal of ISIS booby-traps in order to allow displaced people to return home.
“As well as reviewing existing cooperation, the meeting discussed further steps, including agreement to launch a working group to explore cooperation on energy issues, and the possibility of an informal dialogue on migration,” reads the statement.
The meeting concluded with the EU reiterating its full support for Iraq’s territorial integrity and sovereignty while also encouraging Iraq to keep open dialogue with its neighbours.
