Austria intends to participate in NATO’s training and advisory mission in Iraq (NMI) with up to ten members of the Austrian Armed Forces. The Council of Ministers decided on this new deployment today at the request of Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg in agreement with Defense Minister Klaudia Tanner.
“Iraq is a key factor for stability in the region. The security of Iraq therefore also has a direct impact on Europe and Austria. By participating in the NATO training mission, we are supporting our Iraqi partners in the fight against terrorism and thus also combating the causes of flight and illegal migration from the region. This complements our humanitarian and diplomatic commitment on the ground,” said Foreign Minister Schallenberg, who is planning a trip to Iraq this year to officially open the Austrian embassy in Baghdad. Austria and the Austrian Armed Forces have been a reliable partner for decades within the framework of the “Partnership for Peace”, a NATO initiative founded in 1994 to ensure greater stability and security in the Euro-Atlantic area. The NATO Training Mission Iraq is a non-executive military training and advisory mission of NATO. The basis under international law for Austria’s participation in the NMI is UN Security Council Resolution 2249 of November 20, 2015, which calls on all UN member states to prevent and suppress terrorist acts in Iraq. https://militaeraktuell.at/die-7-jaegerbrigade-ueberprueft-ihre-einsatzbereitschaft/ “Positive developments in Iraq show that the situation on the ground has become more stable in recent years. The Islamic State terrorist group has been shaken to its foundations, but not completely destroyed. The fragile security situation and the weakness of state institutions continue to be a breeding ground for extremism, terrorism and illegal migration. We must not overlook the fact that these developments can also spread to Europe. By participating in the training and education mission, Austria can make a significant contribution to greater security and stability,” added Defense Minister Klaudia Tanner. The NMI is a non-executive military training and advisory mission of NATO. The aim of the mission is to provide effective support to Iraq in the fight against terrorism. By strengthening the security institutions and armed forces, the aim is to stabilize the country and prevent the return of IS. The deployment of personnel can take place following the approval of the National Council’s Main Committee, which meets on June 22.
