Baghdad: National Security Advisor Qasim al-Araji met with the European Union Ambassador to Iraq, Clemens Simetz, to discuss cooperation between Iraq and the EU, as well as regional developments and their repercussions on regional and international peace.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, al-Araji emphasized during the meeting that "the region is experiencing a state of anxiety due to the ongoing war." He added that "the Iraqi government is fulfilling its responsibility to protect diplomatic missions and embassies operating in Iraq, and is also working diplomatically with friendly and brotherly countries to stop the war and prevent its escalation."

The National Security Advisor stressed the necessity of prioritizing peace and returning to the negotiating table, stating that "the European Union is an important player in the international community and adopts the language of dialogue and cooperation to establish peace, rejecting the language of war." He further noted that regional stability is fundamental to creating a sustainable economic and developmental environment.

He also pointed to Iraq's commitment to the security agreement with Iran regarding the Iranian opposition, explaining: "The federal government is working in coordination with the Kurdistan Regional Government to prevent any activity or actions by these groups, in accordance with the Iraqi constitution, which prohibits the use of Iraqi territory to carry out any hostile activity against other countries."

Al-Araji reiterated his call for the international community to receive the nationals of other countries among the prisoners recently transferred to Iraq.

For his part, Zimentz affirmed that the European Union is not a party to this war and is working with its partners to stop it and prevent its escalation. He called on all parties to adhere to international law in resolving disputes through dialogue and negotiation, avoiding military escalation. He stressed the necessity of ending military operations in the region and preventing any further escalation, emphasizing the importance of adopting diplomatic means to address crises.