Brussels, 05/01/2015 (Agence Europe) - Visiting Iraq on 22 and 23 December, High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini called for unity in order to fight against Da'esh/Islamic State (IS). “Da'esh is the number one threat and we must address it together by putting aside the struggles and divisions, first within the country, and recognise that there is a major fight to face”, Mogherini stated in Erbil (our translation).
The previous day, she had said that “the best possible way to face the challenge and the threat of Da'esh” was by showing that, “in a country as complicated and beautiful as this one, it is possible to live together in unity and in respect of all differences, but together”. Mogherini stated that it was about a military and security fight, but also a political and cultural one - a fight which concerns the whole world. She said that the cultural fight against IS, against the attraction of this terrorist organisation, would take “years”. “An alliance is needed more than a coalition - a partnership to prevent people's attraction” to IS, she added, stating that this had nothing to do with religion and that there was no fight of civilisations.
Mogherini also welcomed the efforts of the new Iraqi government on the reforms and inclusivity. She reiterated the EU's intention to use all its tools, especially on the humanitarian and development cooperation level, in order to work with Iraq so that all the people might have a better future. “We need to work hand in hand in the economic domain too”, she added, reiterating that the country was rich and that the EU and Iraq could work in terms of partnership rather than of aid once the situation was overcome.
Mogherini said that Iraq could count on the EU to work on regional diplomacy “with all actors that are relevant in the region”.
According to the Iraqi government, violence claimed over 15,000 lives and left over 22,000 wounded in 2014 - the deadliest year since 2007. (CG)