NATO, Iraq continue dialogue on Middle East security

High-level officials from Iraq, including the country's national security adviser, have met with NATO officials to discuss the country's counter-terrorism efforts.

"Building on their long-standing partnership, NATO and Iraq have launched a political dialogue process," NATO said about the meeting Tuesday. "Earlier today, a delegation of high-level Iraqi officials led by the country's national security adviser, Qasim al-Araji, visited Alliance Headquarters for discussions with senior NATO officials."

Iraq is not a member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, an intergovernmental military alliance of 32 member states.

Since Iraqi authorities requested NATO assistance in 2018, the defense alliance "has advised Iraqi security institutions helping them to shore up their nation's security, fight terrorism and prevent the return" of the terror group ISIS, said NATO Assistant Secretary General for Operations Tom Goffus.

NATO and Iraq have since worked "hand-in-hand every day to enable Iraq to build more sustainable, transparent, inclusive and effective armed forces and security institutions that can restore long-term stability to its people, and we undertake these efforts with full respect for Iraq's sovereignty and territorial integrity," Goffus also said.

Said al-Araji, "NATO Mission Iraq is a non-combat advisory mission and Iraq has agreed with NATO to continue our positive dialogue; our partnership is not against any one; rather it is for the sake of a safe and stable Iraq."