British official: Ready to enhance security and military partnership with Iraq and the Kurdistan Region

Erbil, Sept 10 (KUNA) -- The UK’s senior defense official for the Middle East and North Africa, Vice Admiral Edward Argar, expressed on Thursday his country’s readiness to continue and strengthen security and military cooperation and partnership with Iraq and the Kurdistan Region of Iraq.

The Presidency of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq said in a statement that this came during a meeting between Argar and Regional President Nechirvan Barzani, in which they discussed ways to enhance British security and defense cooperation with Iraq and the region, the consolidation of weapons in the hands of the Iraqi federal government, steps to unify Peshmerga forces, and security developments in the regional landscape.

According to the statement, Barzani expressed his gratitude for the continuous British support through providing training and military and security advice to Iraq and the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, emphasizing the importance of continued joint coordination to confront remnants of the so-called Islamic State (ISIS) and the risks of “terrorism.”

The statement noted that Argar, for his part, affirmed that his country pays close attention to its relations with Iraq and the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, as well as to their security and stability, and reiterated Britain’s readiness to continue cooperation and strengthen the security and military partnership with Iraq and the region.

Relations between Erbil and Baghdad, developments in the Middle East, and the importance of resolving issues through peaceful means were another focal point of the meeting, which was attended by the British Consul General in the region and a delegation accompanying Argar, comprising several officials and military advisors. (End) S.B.R. / M.N.F.