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NATO Ambassadors met on Monday (6 January 2019) to address current tensions in the Middle East and implications for NATO’s training mission in Iraq.
Speaking after the meeting of NATO’s North Atlantic Council, Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg stressed that the safety of NATO’s personnel in Iraq is paramount and that the Alliance had temporarily suspended training activities on the ground. He added that NATO was prepared to continue training and capacity-building when the situation permits, emphasizing that the Alliance remains strongly committed to the fight against international terrorism.
Read the Secretary General’s press point below:
Good afternoon.
I have just chaired a meeting of the North Atlantic Council.
We addressed current tensions in the Middle East, and implications for NATO’s training mission in Iraq.
NATO and all NATO Allies take part in the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS.
And NATO’s mission in Iraq is an important contribution to the Coalition’s effort.
At the invitation of the Iraqi government, we are helping to train forces and prevent the return of ISIS.
At our meeting today, Allies expressed their strong support for the fight against ISIS and for the NATO mission in Iraq.
In everything that we do, the safety of our personnel is paramount.
As such, we have for the time being suspended our training on the ground.
And we are taking all precautions necessary to protect our people.
We are keeping the situation under close review.
And we remain in close contact with the Iraqi authorities.
NATO is prepared to continue our training and capacity-building when the situation permits.
We remain strongly committed to the fight against international terrorism.
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At our meeting today, the United States also briefed on the regional situation, following recent attacks on coalition forces in Iraq, and the strike against General Soleimani.
For years, all Allies have expressed concern about Iran’s destabilising activities in the wider Middle East region.
We agree Iran must never acquire a nuclear weapon.
We share concern about Iran’s missile tests.
And we are united in condemning Iran’s support for a variety of different terrorist groups.
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We have recently seen an escalation by Iran, including the strike on a Saudi energy facility, and the shoot-down of an American drone.
At our meeting today, Allies called for restraint and de-escalation.
A new conflict would be in no-one’s interest.
So Iran must refrain from further violence and provocations.
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With that, I am ready to take your questions.
