Iraq Does Not Seek War, Supports Peace Initiatives, FM Says
Hussein made the remarks during a meeting with Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto at the Italian Defense Ministry headquarters in Rome, as part of his visit to the Italian capital.
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) — Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein said on Friday that Iraq does not seek war and supports all peace initiatives, as he and his Italian counterpart reaffirmed continued security cooperation and military training for Iraqi forces, including the Peshmerga.
Hussein made the remarks during a meeting with Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto at the Italian Defense Ministry headquarters in Rome, as part of his visit to the Italian capital.
According to a statement from Iraq’s Foreign Ministry, the talks focused on the role of the international coalition in combating terrorism in Iraq, Italy’s participation in efforts to defeat the Islamic State (ISIS), and Rome’s support for training members of the Iraqi army and Peshmerga forces to strengthen their military and security capabilities.
The two officials also discussed regional developments and the impact of ongoing conflicts in the Middle East. Hussein said diplomatic efforts to reduce tensions were becoming increasingly complicated, particularly amid escalating tensions between the United States and Iran.
He thanked Italy for its partnership in the fight against ISIS, emphasizing that international coalition cooperation and the participation of Italian forces had played a significant role in defending Iraqi territory.
Hussein also stressed the importance of continued coordination between Iraq’s armed forces and their Italian counterparts, expressing appreciation for Italy’s military training programs for Iraqi army officers and Peshmerga personnel.
Regarding ISIS, the Iraqi foreign minister said the group remained an ideological threat, with dormant cells still operating in several areas. However, he noted that Iraqi military and security forces had gained extensive experience in confronting the organization.
For his part, Crosetto welcomed Hussein’s visit and reaffirmed the strong relations between Rome and Baghdad. He described Iraq as a key pillar of regional stability and said Italy was ready to continue supporting the country whenever requested, particularly through military and security training programs for Iraqi army officers and Peshmerga forces.