Credit:  Iraqi Presidency.iq /  Federica Mogherini, the EU Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Chief, and Iraq President Barham Salih in Tunis March 31, 2019. 

By Gary Raynaldo    DIPLOMATIC TIMES

Iraq President Barham Salih met with Federica Mogherini, the EU Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Chief, in Tunis Sunday March 31, 2019  at the Summit of the League of Arab States. It was the first meeting between High Representative Mogherini and President Salih since his election as President of the Republic of Iraq in October 2018. According to the EU,  Mogherinini  emphasized Europe’s  willingness to continue investing in Iraq’s stability by providing political and financial support in order to rebuild social cohesion and achieve reconciliation. 

“They agreed to deepen the EU-Iraq relationship and concurred on the importance to sustain the ongoing work of the Government on reconstruction and comprehensive reforms, focusing on priority issues and on the needs of all Iraqi citizens. They agreed to continue working together, including on regional issues, and in cooperation with the international community.”

-European Union External Action Statement March 31, 2019.

“The President commended the effective role played by the European Union countries in combating terrorism and helping Iraq to achieve victory as well as their contribution to the humanitarian aspects for the internally displaced persons and migrants.”

-Iraqi Presidency Statement.

Credit:  Iraqi Presidency.iq /  Iraq President Barham Salih  and  Federica Mogherini, EU Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Chief, in Tunisia capital city Tunis  March 31, 2019

During the meeting, President  Salih  and Mogherini  discussed relations between Iraq and the European Union and means of promoting them in the political, security and economic fields, as well as the EU’s contribution to support and develop the training and armament capabilities of the Iraqi security forces, according to the Iraq statement.

Iraq President Meets With United Nations Secretary-General Guterres 

Credit: presidencyiraq /   Iraq President Salih and  discussed António Guterres, the Secretary-General of the United Nations in Tunis March 31, 2019 at Summit of the League of Arab States.

President Salih discussed with António Guterres, the Secretary-General of the United Nations, the Organization’s role in Iraq in various humanitarian fields, notably in assisting refugees, internally displaced persons, and forcibly displaced people and providing them with the necessary assistance, according to a statement from the Iraq president.  During the meeting at His Excellency’s residence in Tunis,    the President hailed the services provided by the United Nations in the liberated areas such as rehabilitating and reconstructing a number of service and health projects in addition to rendering assistance to those affected by ISIS’ terrorism.