Delegation of the European Union to Iraq – European Union Advisory Mission in Iraq
Baghdad, 12 February 2023
From Baghdad to Brussels, the prevention of violent extremism is recognised as the most effective and sustainable response to global terrorism, a threat affecting us all. Today, 12 February 2023, marks the International Day for the Prevention of Violent Extremism as and when Conducive to Terrorism.
Last December, the United Nation General Assembly, by the initiative of Iraq, decided to declare 12 February the International Day for Preventing Violent Extremism as and when Conducive to Terrorism. We thank the Government of Iraq and the National Committee for Implementation of the National Strategy on Countering Violent Extremism for spearheading global efforts to raise awareness and bolster international cooperation on this important matter.
The National Strategy for Countering Violent Extremism demonstrates Iraq’s commitment to a comprehensive approach encompassing not only essential security-based counterterrorism measures but also systematic, preventive steps to address the underlying conditions that drive individuals to radicalise and join violent extremist groups.
At the EU Delegation and the EU Advisory Mission we are proud of our multifaceted partnership with the Iraqi government and other national stakeholders to promote implementation of both the national strategy for countering violent extremism, and the national counterterrorism strategy. In collaboration with the Office of the National Security Adviser, we look forward to further exchanges of experiences and best practices with our Iraqi partners later this week during the EU countering violent extremism training.
In our efforts to reduce the global terrorist threat, we remain firmly committed to further bolstering our partnership with the Iraqi government, civil society, and other national stakeholders to prevent violent extremism.
Addressing the root causes of violent extremism in an inclusive, gender-sensitive, whole-of-society approach fully founded on the respect for human rights and the rule of law is in every country’s national security interest.
Ville Varjola
Ambassador of the European Union to Iraq
Anders Wiberg
Head of Mission, European Union Advisory Mission in Iraq (EUAM Iraq)
Read more:
EUAM Iraq – European Union Delegation in Iraq joint press release on the First commemoration of the International Day for the Prevention of Violent Extremism as and when Conducive to Terrorism (in English, in Arabic)
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