June 16, 2010Britain reiterates commitment to Iraq in letter to al-Maliki
Baghdad, Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki received on Wednesday a letter from his British counterpart David Cameron, in which he underlined Britain’s commitment to strengthen security and stability in Iraq, according to a cabinet’s statement.
“The premier received a letter from Cameron conveyed by Christian Turner, Director for the Middle East and North Africa in the British Foreign Ministry, in which he asserted Britain’s commitment to Iraq and its desire to develop relations with Iraq,” said the statement received by Aswat al-Iraq news agency.
“During his visit to Iraq, Dr Christian Turner, Director for the Middle East and North Africa in the British Foreign Ministry, handed over a letter from British Prime Minister David Cameron to Acting Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki in which Prime Minister Cameron reiterated the United Kingdom’s commitment to Iraq and set out how he saw the UK/Iraq relationship developing,” said a statement released from the British embassy in Baghdad.
Commenting on his visit, Turner said “I am delighted to have had the chance to deliver a personal message from my new Prime Minister to the Prime Minister of Iraq. During our meeting we discussed ways of building on our existing positive relationship. I reaffirmed our long-term commitment to Iraq. We share strategic interests including prosperity for the peoples of Iraq and the UK and strengthened links between our two countries in trade, education and defence. The precise shape of the new government in Baghdad is a matter for the Iraqi people. We hope it will be formed soon through an inclusive process and will be fully empowered to tackle the challenges Iraq faces. We pledge ourselves to working together towards these common goals. I have passed similar messages to the leaders of all the main political blocs in Iraq. They all have an important role to play in building the future.”
Mr Cameron, writing before the first session of Iraq’s new parliament on 14 June, said “I have been following closely the process of government formation in Iraq since your elections. Now that the Supreme Court has certified the results, we await the outcome of the next stage of this historic process with great interest”.
Turning to the future, Mr Cameron went on to say “The next few years will be an equally decisive period for Iraq’s future. I would like to recommit the United Kingdom to building on the work and sacrifices of British forces in Iraq by supporting the government and people of Iraq as democracy, reconciliation and economic development move forward in your country”.
Baghdad, Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki received on Wednesday a letter from his British counterpart David Cameron, in which he underlined Britain’s commitment to strengthen security and stability in Iraq, according to a cabinet’s statement.
“During his visit to Iraq, Dr Christian Turner, Director for the Middle East and North Africa in the British Foreign Ministry, handed over a letter from British Prime Minister David Cameron to Acting Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki in which Prime Minister Cameron reiterated the United Kingdom’s commitment to Iraq and set out how he saw the UK/Iraq relationship developing,” said a statement released from the British embassy in Baghdad.
Commenting on his visit, Turner said “I am delighted to have had the chance to deliver a personal message from my new Prime Minister to the Prime Minister of Iraq. During our meeting we discussed ways of building on our existing positive relationship. I reaffirmed our long-term commitment to Iraq. We share strategic interests including prosperity for the peoples of Iraq and the UK and strengthened links between our two countries in trade, education and defence. The precise shape of the new government in Baghdad is a matter for the Iraqi people. We hope it will be formed soon through an inclusive process and will be fully empowered to tackle the challenges Iraq faces. We pledge ourselves to working together towards these common goals. I have passed similar messages to the leaders of all the main political blocs in Iraq. They all have an important role to play in building the future.”
Mr Cameron, writing before the first session of Iraq’s new parliament on 14 June, said “I have been following closely the process of government formation in Iraq since your elections. Now that the Supreme Court has certified the results, we await the outcome of the next stage of this historic process with great interest”.
Turning to the future, Mr Cameron went on to say “The next few years will be an equally decisive period for Iraq’s future. I would like to recommit the United Kingdom to building on the work and sacrifices of British forces in Iraq by supporting the government and people of Iraq as democracy, reconciliation and economic development move forward in your country”.
"I see the new Iraq as a cornerstone of stability in the wider Gulf region. We would like to support Iraq as it develops its capacity to provide security and stability within its own borders and more widely. We will be partners with Iraq in promoting global prosperity. Your wealth of natural resources gives you the chance to transform Iraq’s economic future. It is also important for the UK, Europe and the world”.
On the long standing educational links between the UK and Iraq, Mr Cameron said “I would like to see educational links rebuilt. There is a long tradition of Iraqis attending British schools and universities. The British Council is increasingly active in Iraq and I hope to strengthen this. This will give us an excellent platform for the future and help build understanding and cooperation between the British and Iraqi people”.
Mr. Cameron ended his letter to Mr Al-Maliki saying ” I am looking forward to working with the new Iraqi government as partners in meeting the global challenges of stability, security and sustainable prosperity that face us all”.
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On the long standing educational links between the UK and Iraq, Mr Cameron said “I would like to see educational links rebuilt. There is a long tradition of Iraqis attending British schools and universities. The British Council is increasingly active in Iraq and I hope to strengthen this. This will give us an excellent platform for the future and help build understanding and cooperation between the British and Iraqi people”.
Mr. Cameron ended his letter to Mr Al-Maliki saying ” I am looking forward to working with the new Iraqi government as partners in meeting the global challenges of stability, security and sustainable prosperity that face us all”.
SH (I)
