Minister of Foreign Affairs Delivers Iraq’s Speech at the meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation in Islamabad
On 22/3/2022, the Minister of Foreign Affairs Fuad Hussein delivered Iraq’s speech at the meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation in its 48th session, which was held in the Pakistani capital, Islamabad, under the title “Building Partnerships for Unity, Justice and Development”.
As follows is the full text of the speech:
His Excellency Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan Mr Shah Mahmood Qurashi,
His Excellency the Secretary-General of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, Mr Hussein Ibrahim Taha,
Your Excellencies…
Peace be upon you…
I am pleased to attend the 48th session of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Member States of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, and I congratulate the friendly Islamic Republic of Pakistan for hosting and chairing this session, and I extend my thanks and gratitude for the warm reception and hospitality.
We also commend the efforts of the General Secretariat of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation for its preparations for the purpose of making this session a success, and we extend our thanks to the Republic of Niger for the efforts it made when it chaired the previous session.
Mr President
I take this opportunity to affirm that the victories achieved by the Iraqi people over the terrorist gangs of ISIS, had proved the pluralistic, democratic identity of the federal Iraq through the cohesion of the people in all their sects, nationalities and religions with the security forces, with the help and solidarity of the brothers and the international community. The victory over the gangs of ISIS is a victory for the peoples of the world and for humanity as a whole, as the Iraqis fought their just war against terrorism, in defence of the homeland and also on behalf of the world, and in defence of human values and meanings, with the will of our peace-loving people, rejecting all forms of extremism and violence. Whilst we fought terrorism, the Iraqi government is working to realise development, stability and peaceful community coexistence, after defeating ISIS gangs and liberating Iraqi territories and regaining control over them, as Iraq and the world become safer after these historic victories.
We stress the importance of concerted efforts to combat all forms of discrimination, extremism and misunderstanding of religion, eliminate feelings of exclusion and work to spread a culture of tolerance, moderation and dialogue between cultures and religions. We also confirm the need to work to activate and implement all the decisions of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation and the United Nations Organisation related to combating defamation of religions and the integration of minorities into societies and drying up the sources of terrorism and extremist ideology and means of financing it.
Mr President
The Iraqi government has placed rebuilding the liberated cities, rehabilitating their infrastructure which destroyed by ISIS, at the top of its priorities and completing the return of the displaced to their cities after clearing of mines and providing basic services for them.
The Government of Iraq also calls upon members of the organisation’s countries and the international community to stand with Iraq and actively contribute to recover the Iraqi antiquities that were stolen and traded by the terrorist organization ISIS, to preserve the cultural and historical heritage, not only for Iraq, but for humanity as a hole, and that Iraq seeks to implement the organisation’s resolutions Nos (12/48 – D) and (53/48 – S) regarding holding a conference to support, rebuild and rehabilitate antiquities and cultural properties, and rehabilitate the Iraqi cities after eliminating ISIS, under the auspices of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation and in coordination with the United Nations and its relevant specialized agencies.
Mr President
The Government of Iraq expresses its gratitude to the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation for its support of the electoral process in Iraq, which was held on 10/10/2021, and for sending a delegation to observe the parliamentary elections to form a new democratic government that seeks to meet the aspirations and hopes of the Iraqi people. We also appreciate the participation of the organisation in the Baghdad Conference for Cooperation and Partnership, which was held on 28/8/2021, and its support for Iraq through statements and positions issued by the General Secretariat of the organisation and the decisions it issues in favour of Iraq in its meetings.
Mr President
The Government of Iraq works to build good and balanced relations with the countries of the world, in accordance with an independent foreign policy based on common interests, respect for sovereignty and non-interference in the internal affairs of countries, and enhancing Iraq’s role in maintaining regional and international security by adopting the principle of dialogue and communication to resolve the outstanding problems, and to avoid the use of force or threat, and Iraq must be an element and a source of stability in its regional and international environment. Iraq had presented many initiatives to bridge differences and resolve problems among the countries of the organisation peacefully, especially in its regional environment.
Mr President
We affirm Iraq’s permanent and firm positions towards the Palestinian cause and its full support to the struggle of the Palestinian people in such a way which is determined by the Palestinian leadership, and based on the resolutions of international legitimacy.
In conclusion, we affirm Iraq’s commitment to cooperate with the organisation to enhance partnership, support the organisation and all its organs and committees, and strengthen the joint Islamic action. I reiterated to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan our support for its chairing of the 48th session and our sincere wishes for success.
Peace be upon you all
