ERBIL, Kurdistan Region — In a joint declaration after this month’s summit in Ise-Shima, Japan, G7 leaders said they are committed to Iraq’s unity and territorial integrity, adding meanwhile that they will support Iraq and the Kurdish region overcome their fiscal challenges.
“We commit our continued support for the unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Iraq and the Iraqi people, as well as the Iraqi government’s efforts to accelerate political and economic reforms and enhance national reconciliation,” the G7 leaders said in a declaration.
The heads of states said they “commend Iraqi forces’ efforts in their fight against ISIL/Da’esh,” and called on the international community to support the Iraqi government for stability in areas liberated from the Islamic State (ISIS).
The statement that makes no mention of the Kurdish forces’ party in the ongoing war against ISIS in Iraq adds however, that the Kurdistan Region must benefit from any financial support given to Iraq.
“We also commit to provide, and expedite as appropriate, support for Iraq’s efforts to address its fiscal challenge and strengthen its economy through reforms, in coordination with the IMF and other international financial institutions,” reads the statement. “It is critical that all Iraqis, including the Iraqi Kurdistan region, benefit from this support. In this context, the G7 is mobilizing more than 3.6 billion USD in bilateral assistance and other financial support to complement support from the international financial institutions.”
The declaration goes on to say that the G7 leaders are committed to the full implementation of the nuclear deal they signed with Iran in Vienna last year, and that “The lifting of nuclear-related economic and financial sanctions as provided for in the JCPOA represents an opportunity for Iran to reengage with the global community.”
But they also call on Iran “to play a constructive role in its region and thus contribute to the efforts to achieve political solutions, reconciliation and peace, and cooperate to prevent and counter the spread of terrorism and violent extremism.”
The threat of extremism and terrorist attacks around the world, especially in vulnerable public places was one of the main topics at the G7 summit where its leaders called on collective and coordinated efforts to combat this “urgent global security threat,”
“We reiterate that it is essential for the international community to make further collective and coordinated efforts to fight this urgent global security threat,
“We commend the intensive counterterrorism efforts that have already been made globally, regionally, bilaterally and domestically,” the world leaders added, “We continue to work together to prevent the flow of foreign terrorist fighters and terrorism-related materials and equipment. We reassert our commitment to countering terrorist financing,” they said.
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