Press Statement

The Foreign Ministry summoned the French Ambassador, Mr. Bruno Aubert, the British Ambassador Mr. Stephen Hickey, the German Chargé d’Affaires, Mr. Eugen Mueller, as well as the Canadian Ambassador Mr. Ulric Shannon, and were met by Ambassador Abdel Karim Hashim, the Senior Undersecretary of the Ministry on the background of the joint statement issued by these Embassies.

Mr. Hasim emphasized that Iraq maintains its diplomatic relations with the countries of the world on the principle of activating common interests and facing common risks, and based on this principle Iraq held the strongest relations with many countries of the world taking into account non-interference in their internal affairs and preserving their sovereignty.

The Undersecretary expressed the Foreign Ministry’s rejection of the implications of the statement, considering that it represents interference in the internal affairs of Iraq, and a clear violation of Article I of the Vienna Convention to regulate relations between countries.

The Undersecretary stated that the mission of the Ambassadors in Baghdad is to strengthen relations, and build common interests without interfering in its internal affairs, and he stressed that if there is a need to issue a statement on Iraq, coordination with the Foreign Ministry is required, and it is in place by other missions in Iraq.

 Stating that what is happening in Baghdad and a number of governorates from demonstrations, is a natural result of the state of democracy experienced by the Iraqis who established the constitution and adopted work on its articles, to grant the right to any popular movement, whether it be demonstrations or assemblies to express views and claim legitimate rights, and the government has dealt with them as true reform demands that must be met, and launched a number of reforms in the framework.

The government has also launched transparent investigations into the violence, and has taken legal measures to hold perpetrators accountable and bring them to justice.

The Undersecretary concluded by affirming that Iraqis over the past years, and with their experiences, have proven that they are  highly mature people, and no one has the right to interfere in its affairs, or imposing guardianship and that all accredited missions in Baghdad must adhere to diplomatic standards that organize relations between countries and promotes cooperation.

Foreign Ministry Spokesman
 Dr. Ahmad Al-Sahaf
9/12/2019