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EUAM Iraq expands its presence in Kurdistan

(B2) The High Representative of the European Union made things official by announcing on Wednesday (8 September) that the Security Forces Advisory Mission in Iraq (EUAM Iraq) would have a new presence in Iraqi Kurdistan.

The mission stationed so far only in Baghdad will therefore open a second permanent office in Erbil. This is how the European Union has " expanded this summer the mission, explained Josep Borrell, during his trip to Iraq this week. " Our team is ready to provide advice and expertise on civil security sector reform to the Kurdistan Regional Government. Talks have already started on areas where our support can help “, specified Josep Borrell in Iraq.

The mission currently has 68 international staff from 19 EU member states, and two additional experts in Erbil, counts the High Representative's spokesperson for B2.

The announcement will come as no big surprise to regular B2 readers. In view of opening a presence in Erbil, the head of the mission, Christoph Buik, traveled last July for a series of meetings with the regional authorities. The challenge was to strengthen cooperation in the field of security sector reform (read: Latest news from EU missions and operations (July 2021)). Already in 2019, change was expected in this area (EUAM Iraq, soon engaged in Iraqi Kurdistan?).

(Aurelie Pugnet)

B2 Writing

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