Prime Minister Janez Janša today visited Slovenian troops in Iraq. As military training instructors in Al Rustamiyah, the members of the Slovenian Armed Forces assist in the training of Iraqi security forces. Mr Janša also held talks with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki and Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari and they agreed that the Iraqi forces should be capable of providing security in Iraq themselves as soon as possible. During his meeting with the Slovenian military instructors in Iraq, Mr Janša ascertained that they are in good spirits and are being praised for their work by their commanders.
PHOTO: BOBO
In his statement to the Slovenian press in Kuwait after his visit to Iraq, Mr Janša said that this visit was divided into two parts: “At the training centre where the Slovenian instructors are stationed we were informed about their mission, and their living conditions in terms of security and everyday needs. We observed a training exercise of Iraqi security forces and listened to a presentation about the training centre and plans for the future. We heard so many expressions of commendation of the Slovenian COs and NCOs participating in this mission that it gave me special pleasure to be able to represent Slovenia. We saw the results of their work – trained Iraqi COs and NCOs. The second part of the visit took place in Baghdad where we held official talks with the Iraqi Prime Minister, Mr Nouri al-Maliki, in particular about how to double or reinforce efforts to finally stabilise the situation in Iraq.”
PHOTO: BOBO
Mr Janša emphasised that the Iraqi Prime Minister thanked Slovenia for its assistance and promised to enhance it with strengthened economic co-operation as conditions in Iraq stabilise. “It is a two-fold action, namely to train as soon as possible an adequate number of Iraqi forces who will be capable of providing security in Iraq. This is an ongoing process, but it is not a rapid or a simple one, and it requires every effort and a great deal of time,” added Mr Janša pointing out that in order to stabilise Iraq it is very important to limit adverse effects stemming from other countries where terrorism is supported and from where weapons and people are sent to carry out suicide attacks and other forms of attacks claiming numerous victims primarily among the civilian population.
Prime Minister Janša and his Iraqi counterpart also touched upon other fields of co-operation: signing of the agreement on co-operation in the field of culture and co-operation between the respective ministries of foreign affairs. They agreed that the NATO mission to train Iraqi soldiers was important primarily because it would ultimately enable Iraqi security forces to provide security in the country.
