Statement by First Deputy Permanent Representative Dmitry Polyanskiy at UNSC briefing on the situation in Iraq
Mr.President,
We thank SRSG Hennis-Plasschaert for the briefing on the situation in Iraq and reiterate our standing support for the activity of the UN Assistance Mission in Iraq (UNAMI). We listened carefully to civil society representative Ms. Dhefaf Al-Jarahi.
We must note with regret that the Republic of Iraq continues to face complex internal political and socio-economic challenges against the backdrop of remaining region-wide instability and terrorist threat. In this regard, we welcome efforts of the Council of Ministers headed by M.Al-Sudani that aim at improving the situation in the country, ensuring stability and security, and countering international terrorism. This being said, we note the commitment of the Iraqi government to implementing economic reforms in order to, among other things, better the quality of state-provided services and boost people's trust in state bodies. We hope that when carried out, this program will unlock opportunities to resolve such pressing issues for the Iraqi nation as countering unemployment and supporting vulnerable groups of population.
Our consistent and unfailing support for the government of Iraq has been reiterated again during the visit of M.Al-Sudani to Moscow, which is underway at the moment. At his meeting with President Putin, a whole range of pressing issues for the Middle East was raised, including the recent escalation of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, which can be overcome only if fundamental interests of the Palestinian people are taken onboard and relevant decisions of this Council are properly implemented.
We also count on all Iraqi political forces to continue to demonstrate a responsible approach and seek to settle the existing disputes only through dialogue and in the interests of all ethno-confessional communes and social groups of the country. We are convinced that it will take an inclusive dialogue to facilitate convening of elections in Iraq’s provinces, and also parliamentary elections in the Kurdish Autonomous Region.
In this context, we commend the continuing targeted dialogue of Baghdad and Erbil to settle the existing disputes, first of all in the oil and gas area. We are convinced that further improvement of their relations will be beneficial for economic development and political stability of Iraq.
Mr.President,
Despite Baghdad’s achievements at the counter-terrorism front, the security situation remains volatile, i.a. due to the reinvigoration of terrorist cells. According to the recent report of the Secretary-General, they carry out regular raids in various provinces of the country. We continue to believe that this challenge can be opposed effectively only through maximum broad coordination of counter-terrorism efforts given respect for sovereignty of the Iraqi state and upon agreeing on all steps with Baghdad.
We laud Iraq’s efforts aimed at building good neighborly relations and welcome the increasing role of the Republic in regional normalization processes. This being said, we are certain that intensification of Iraq’s activity at the foreign policy track and establishment of constructive interaction with partners in the region promote peace, stability, and security in the Middle East. We stand for a swift and lasting normalization of the situation both inside and around Iraq. Therefore, we underscore again that attempts to turn Iraq’s national territory into an arena for confrontation and settling scores by third states are unacceptable.
Mr.President,
In conclusion, we take this opportunity to once again express our support for diversified efforts of UNAMI aimed at improving the socio-economic aspects in Iraq and its state functions. At the same time, we consistently oppose the attempts to re-orient UNAMI’s mandate towards non-core tasks that are not characteristic of a special political mission, such as climate change and cross-border environmental disputes.
Thank you.
