Iraqi PM discusses border security, drug control with US Homeland Security Secretary
The Iraqi Prime Minister, Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani, the US Secretary of Homeland Security, Alejandro Mayorkas, and other officials. Photo: INA
Baghdad (IraqiNews.com) – The Iraqi Prime Minister, Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani, discussed on Tuesday cooperation in the areas of border security, drug control, and training with the US Secretary of Homeland Security, Alejandro Mayorkas.
The meeting took place in Washington DC as the Iraqi Prime Minister is paying an official visit to the United States, where he met with the US President, Joe Biden, and other senior officials, including the Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, and the Secretary of Defense, Lloyd Austin.
The two sides discussed the relationship between both countries, the potential for collaboration, and the use of the US Department of Homeland Security’s experience in areas such as border security, drug trafficking, and the use of advanced technologies, as well as training, according to a statement cited by the Iraqi News Agency (INA).
The statement mentioned that Al-Sudani expressed his appreciation to Mayorkas for the efforts made by the US Department of Homeland Security to recover stolen Iraqi artifacts.
During his meeting with Austin on Monday, Al-Sudani reaffirmed the government’s desire to keep the two countries’ relations intact, noting that ten years had passed since the international coalition was formed to fight ISIS, in which the Iraqi people had made great sacrifices, according to a statement released by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO).
The Iraqi Prime Minister said that the country values the assistance and collaboration it receives from allies and the international community in the fight against terrorism.
Al-Sudani confirmed that security services in Iraq have reached a high level of readiness. He also emphasized the beginning of work toward a partnership through the Higher Coordinating Committee (HCC) to assess the country’s military situation and ISIS risks, as well as the security services’ capacity to produce recommendations about when the international coalition’s mission should come to an end.
The Iraqi Premier noted that the concerned committee will hold its second meeting in July to promote bilateral cooperation in accordance with the Iraqi constitution and the strategic framework agreement.