Statement by Permanent Representative Vassily Nebenzia at an open VTC of UNSC members on the situation in Iraq
Mme. President,
We thank SRSG Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert for the briefing.
We support the efforts of the Iraqi government to stabilize the complicated situation that is evolving for a number of objective reasons. We understand that it is impossible to quickly solve the problems that Iraqi authorities are faced with. Measures are being taken to improve socio-economic situation, however there are still protests among the population. The situation is further aggravated by a steep decrease in state revenues caused by a drop in oil prices and the spread of COVID-19.
Fight against terrorism remains a relevant issue. Despite Iraq’s success on the counter-terrorism front, the security situation in the country remains fragile, i.a. because of growing activity of the terrorist underworld. A sad example of this is the recent double terrorist attack in Baghdad city center that killed 32 civilians and yesterday’s attack in Erbil. We strongly condemn these acts committed by terrorists. At the same time, we proceed from the assumption that all those involved in combating terrorism in Iraq must respect the sovereignty of this state and coordinate all actions with Baghdad.
There are attacks on civilian and military facilities of anti-ISIL coalition situated on the Iraqi soil. The US Embassy and a cortege of the British diplomatic mission were attacked in Baghdad. We stand against such provocations.
We are convinced that inclusive dialogue can help settle all the remaining internal problems. On our part, in the contacts with all Iraqi political forces, we encourage them to look for compromise solutions. This said, we call upon all external stakeholders who are interested in stabilizing the internal situation in Iraq to abstain from steps that might negatively impact this process.
One of priority tasks of M.Al-Kadhimi’s cabinet is to prepare for early parliamentary elections that were recently rescheduled from June to October this year. We continue looking into ways to engage the United Nations in preparing and convening the elections, we are ready to discuss this issue with other UNSC members.
Further improvement of relations between Baghdad and Erbil will help Iraq sustain security and effectively engage its economic potential in the interests of the entire nation.
We support the work of the UN Mission in Iraq. Its activity can foster reconciliation processes while fully respecting sovereignty of the country.
The commitment of Baghdad and Kuwait City to soonest settlement of all controversial issues of Iraqi-Kuwaiti file is worth special support.
We reconfirm our consecutive approach, according to which Iraq should not turn into platform for regional confrontation. We appreciate the principal position of Baghdad in favor of building good relations with neighbors. We also duly note Baghdad’s diplomatic potential for promoting de-escalation in the region. We call upon the international community to engage in constructive cooperation in the interests of promoting peace and stability in the entire Middle East region, i.a. on the basis of UNSC resolution 598 and the Russian collective security concept.
Thank you.
