Head of EU mission at UN urges reconciliation among Iraqis, avoid unilateral acts
158 views · Published 12 June 2017 · 22:38 · Indexed 23 October 2026
Channel: Rudaw English · 2017 · People & Blogs
Every country must find its own way and the EU respects national sovereignty, but Iraq has problems that must not be underestimated, said the European Union’s ambassador to the United Nations. Asked about Kurdish independence aspirations, João Vale de Almeida said the EU advocates for Iraqi unity and encourages reconciliation between the many groups that make up Iraq. “We believe that there is a larger interest of Iraq to stay together within a process of reform largely based on the constitution.” He is hopeful that both Iraq and Syria can learn from the European example that, while it was at war 70 years ago, is now the best place to live. “…Civil wars in Europe devastated our continent. We stopped it on the basis of tolerance, recognition of diversity, and the common effort to find consensus. This is the European experience. If others want to share it, they are most welcome, but we are not in the business of teaching lessons to anyone but we are very proud of what we have achieved.”
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