The Minister of National Defence, Mihnea Motoc, met with the Ambassador of the Republic of Iraq in Romania, Hussain Taha Hussan SINJARI, on Thursday, May 5th, at the MoND headquarters.

The two officials discussed about the opportunities to relaunch defence and bilateral cooperation focussing on the regional security topics and the contribution Romania can make to the development and modernization of the Iraqi armed forces. In this context, minister Motoc emphasized the need to agree upon a mutual legal basis between the Government of Romania and the Government of the Republic of Iraq with a view to consolidating defence cooperation.

In the first stage, the cooperation is to consist in training and initiation activities which various specialized structures of Romania can provide to the Iraqi armed forces.

Defence Minister Motoc also mentioned the possibility to develop cooperation within the NATO-Iraqi partnership by implementing the Defence Capability Building Initiative and Romania's participation within the US-led International Coalition against the Islamic State of Iraq.

Press Department