Iraqi foreign minister: Our country has become part of the geography of the current war

Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein stated on Thursday that Iraq’s geographical position has, “regrettably,” made the country part of the geography of the ongoing regional war, despite a government policy that rejects conflict as a means of resolving disputes.

Speaking during a telephone call with the European Union Commissioner for the Mediterranean, Dubravka Šuica, Hussein stressed Iraq’s commitment to dialogue and negotiations as the primary tools for diplomacy. However, he noted that the reality on the ground has forced the nation into the centre of the current hostilities.

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According to a statement released by the Iraqi Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the minister said that, as a result of recent attacks, Iraq has suffered significant human losses, including casualties among members of the Peshmerga forces, the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), and the Iraqi Army.

Hussein added that the ongoing war has negatively impacted the Iraqi economy, especially with the current disruption of oil exports and his country’s urgent need for European support during this critical phase.

In light of these challenges, the Foreign Minister called for the formation of a specialized European group, based on the existing Partnership and Cooperation Agreement between Iraq and the European Union, to study mechanisms for providing financial aid, particularly if the crisis persists in the long-term. He also urged that European financial institutions be directed accordingly to assist Baghdad.

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