SULAIMANI (ESTA) — The United States and European reaffirmed their commitment to support the new Iraqi government as the country marked the end of the long-standing deadlock on Thursday after the new President was named.
Both U.S. and the EU reaffirmed their commitment to support the new Iraqi government, the state news agency on Friday reported.
Iraq’s legislators have elected Kurdish politician from the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) Latif Rashid as the country’s new president on Thursday.
Rashid shortly after he was elected tasked Iraq’s Prime Minister-designate, Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani with forming the next cabinet within 30 days.
“These are positive steps towards the long-awaited government formation, one year after the October 2021 elections for which the EU deployed an Electoral Observation Mission,” The EU in a statement said, according to the state news agency.
“It is now crucial for Iraq to swiftly form a constitutionally mandated and fully empowered government that can implement urgently needed reforms, responding to the needs and aspirations of its people,” it said.
The European Union further reaffirmed its commitment to further strengthening the EU-Iraq partnership.
“A peaceful, prosperous, and democratic Iraq is essential for its people, for the region, and for Europe,” it added.
“I welcome Prime Minister-designate Muhammad Shia Al-Sudani’s pledge to fight corruption, defend Iraqi sovereignty and security, and form a government dedicated to serving the people of Iraq,” the U.S. Ambassador to Iraq, Alina Romanowski in a tweet said.
Romanowski further reiterated the U.S. commitment to support the new government, saying “The United States is committed to supporting and partnering with the new government to advance these common goals.”
