NATO Secretary General Commends Strong Cooperation with Iraq

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte visited Iraq with U.S. Army General Christopher G. Cavoli to strengthen the NATO-Iraq partnership. Discussions with Iraqi leaders centered on the NATO Mission Iraq’s achievements since 2018 in enhancing Iraqi security forces’ capabilities. NMI continues to focus on advisory roles aimed at helping Iraq fight terrorism and establish long-term stability.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and Supreme Allied Commander Europe, U.S. Army General Christopher G. Cavoli, visited Iraq from February 4-5, 2025. Their discussions included meetings with prominent Iraqi officials, such as President Dr. Abdul Latif Rashid and Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ Al-Sudani. A primary focus of these talks was the NATO Mission Iraq (NMI), highlighting ongoing cooperation and the security situation in the region.

During the visit, Secretary General Rutte praised the accomplishments of the NATO Mission Iraq, emphasizing its contributions to enhancing the effectiveness and inclusivity of Iraqi security forces since 2018. He commended both the leadership of NMI and the dedication of Iraqi partners in areas such as security education, logistics, cyber defense, and governance. “Together we have achieved a lot through our NATO-Iraq partnership,” Rutte stated, reinforcing the collective efforts in strengthening Iraq’s security framework.

The NATO Mission Iraq was initiated at the NATO Summit in Brussels in July 2018, in response to a request from the Iraqi government, and began operations in Baghdad in October 2018. It is designed as a non-combat advisory mission focused on assisting Iraq in establishing sustainable and efficient security institutions. NMI aims to empower Iraqi authorities to combat terrorism and ensure national stability, concurrently advising various defense and security sectors.

As part of its mandate, NATO’s advisory efforts are directed towards Iraqi defense institutions, including the Ministry of Defence and the Office of the National Security Advisor. Iraqi officials have outlined core objectives to enhance cooperation with NMI, which prominently feature security education, logistics, cyber defense, and good governance, emphasizing Iraq’s commitment to strengthening its own security capabilities in collaboration with NATO.

In summary, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte’s visit to Iraq underscored the strong partnership between NATO and Iraqi authorities. The NATO Mission Iraq has significantly improved the capabilities of Iraqi security forces through advisory support focused on key objectives. Moving forward, the mission aims to further assist Iraq in achieving enduring security and stability, while respecting the country’s sovereignty.

Original Source: www.nato.int