Minister of Foreign Affairs Meets Ambassadors of European Union, Canada, Norway, and Chargé d’Affaires ad Interim of the Japanese and US Embassy in Baghdad

On Sunday, October 9, 2022, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Fuad Hussein, met the ambassadors of the European Union, Canada, Norway, Britain, and the charge d’affaires ad Interim of the Japanese and US Embassy in Baghdad.

During the meeting, they discussed a US-Albanian draft resolution submitted to the United Nations General Assembly relating to the referendum in Zarporozhye, Kherson, Lugansk and Donetsk in Ukraine and their annexation to the Russian Federation.

The guests underlined the importance of the draft resolution as it deals with the attempts of the Russian Federation to change the recognized political borders of Ukraine, and as it constitutes a clear and explicit violation of the Charter of the United Nations. They confirm their position in support of the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Ukraine within the internationally recognized borders. They also pointed out that Russia would submit a request to make the vote secret and that they would reject it, in the interest of transparency of the procedures. They asked Iraq to support the draft resolution to preserve the right of the Ukrainian people to self-determination.

The Minister emphasized that Iraq’s position has been clear since the beginning of the Russian-Ukrainian war, which is the need to find a peaceful solution to the crisis, avoid escalation and rely on negotiations, restraint, and call for dialogue between the parties, as Iraq is a country that has experienced the scourge of wars. The Minister also emphasized that the repercussions of this war on the economic level, have affected the countries in Europe and the Middle East, and he also expressed his concern about the continuation of this war. He pointed out that Iraq is part of the Arab Contact Group that seeks to find ways to resolve the crisis through dialogue and diplomacy in a manner that preserves the security and safety of peoples in this important region of the world.

Regarding the draft resolution, the minister stated that he would discuss this with the Prime Minister in the light of the principles of Iraqi foreign policy that emphasize resorting to peaceful means in resolving disputes and in the light of Iraq’s commitment to the United Nations Charter. He will also communicate with his counterparts in the Arab Contact Group to learn about their positions on this draft resolution under discussion and with the permanent representative of Iraq in New York in this regard.

In conclusion, the Minister expressed his hope for a ceasefire and an end to this war.