This mission came at an important moment. Last week, on 28 August, the Iraqi government brought together regional leaders at the “Baghdad conference”, an initiative to promote regional de-escalation and dialogue. The EU strongly supports these Iraqi efforts to promote regional solutions to tackle regional tensions.
On the path to a different future
The Iraqi government is also working on ambitious socio-economic and governance reforms, which the Iraqi people clearly demand. These reforms are key to ensure the financial viability of the country and provide job opportunities to the youth. With 60% of Iraqis being below 25 years of age, this is an urgent task. This is also why the EU is investing heavily in supporting opportunities for the youth, be it through training, job creation, or by ensuring basic services and education for all. The EU has already invested over €1.2 billion in Iraq since 2014 and it has supported economic reforms via its co-chairmanship of the Iraq Economic Contact Group. During my visit, I reiterated that the EU’s financial and technical assistance will continue.
“Iraq’s vibrant civil society is another reason to be hopeful for the country’s future. That’s why I have been insisting with the authorities on the importance of thoroughly prosecuting acts of violence against civil society actors.”
I was also glad to meet representatives from civil society, human rights organisations and protest movements: to listen to their concerns and to share ideas on what the EU could do. Iraq’s vibrant civil society is another reason to be hopeful for the country’s future. Iraqi human rights defenders and political activists work every day for the future of their “watan”, their nation, and their efforts are key to the consolidation of Iraq’s political and economic stability. That’s why I have been insisting with the authorities, both in previous contacts and during this visit, on the importance of thoroughly investigating and prosecuting acts of violence against civil society actors.
We are ready to do our part
As EU, what we can and want to do is accompanying and supporting efforts by the Iraqis to consolidate and strengthen their country’s stability, security and prosperity. However, to achieve any meaningful progress, the challenging security situation needs to improve. Da’esh continues its outrageous attacks on Iraqi civilians. Last week we saw yet another deadly attack in Kirkuk. I reaffirmed our commitment to the Global Coalition against Da’esh, of which the EU is an active (non-military) member.
Rogue elements continue also to commit acts of violence that have no place in a sovereign country. We are supporting Iraq’s security sector reform through advice and expertise by our EU Advisory Mission in Iraq, EUAM.
“On 10 October, Iraqis will go to the polls. This should be an important milestone in the country’s democratic consolidation. At the request of the Iraqi government, we are deploying an Election Observation Mission (EOM).”
Next month, on 10 October, Iraqis will go to the polls for free and fair Iraqi-led, Iraqi-owned elections. This should be an important milestone in the country’s democratic consolidation. At the request of the Iraqi government, we are deploying an Election Observation Mission (EOM). The mission covers the whole election process and will produce a public report with recommendations.
We also had the opportunity to discuss the important migration file, where we want to continue building on the good recent cooperation. I reiterated strong appreciation for the authorities’ decision to temporarily suspend flights to Belarus and asked for this suspension to become permanent. We agreed that Iraqi citizens should not be instrumentalised or manipulated by criminal networks. Iraqi authorities know this is a very important issue for us and are ready to deepen concrete engagement.
From Baghdad to Erbil
Continuing my visit to Erbil, I conveyed the same messages to President Barzani and the leadership of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. Relations between Baghdad and Erbil are vital for Iraq’s stability. I underlined that we understand that a strong Kurdistan Region benefits the Iraqi Republic as a whole, as well as the wider region.
The EU engages in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq under the Global Coalition against Daesh, including humanitarian and development support, as well as civilian Security Sector Reform through the EU Advisory Mission, which has recently expanded its operations to also assist the authorities in Erbil.
“The Kurdistan Region of Iraq has shown enormous generosity by giving refuge to so many internally displaced people. Since 2019, over 237,000 people have benefitted from EU-funded camp management services.”
The Kurdistan Region of Iraq has shown enormous generosity by giving refuge to so many internally displaced people. Naturally, we want to help them in this endeavour. Since 2019, over 237,000 people have benefitted from EU-funded camp management services and we will continue to support projects for the integration of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in local communities.
President Barzani and I also agreed on the importance of freedom of expression and of fair trials fully in line with domestic laws and meeting international standards.
Protecting the past, projecting the future
In addition to the official meetings, I visited the Iraq Museum in Baghdad, which is one of the world’s most important. It covers the 5000-year history of Mesopotamia, and therefore plays a crucial role in safekeeping and highlighting the country’s rich heritage. The visit was fascinating and I am glad that the EU Advisory Mission works with the museum on cultural heritage protection. It is the first and only EU civilian crisis management mission tasked with cultural heritage protection.
In Erbil, I visited also the World Heritage site of the Qelat citadel, which is another impressive site full of beauty and history. It benefits from an EU-funded project to ensure sustainable livelihoods and create jobs for Syrian refugees and vulnerable Iraqis in the cultural heritage sector.
In recent years, Iraq has gone through very difficult times, of war, violence and strife. But I feel hopeful for its future. Its cultural heritage needs to be protected, its future needs to be supported, and the EU is a committed partner to help Iraqis see that happen.