German foreign minister: not paid one euro of a loan to Iraq two years ago [expanded]

German foreign minister: not paid one euro of a loan to Iraq two years ago [expanded]


Date of release: 2017/4/19


German Foreign Minister Ziegmar Gabriel has confirmed that the two-year-old loan to Iraq worth 500 million euros has not been spent.
"The importance of building the country without corruption, with efficient administration and a reliable judiciary, is important for the development of Iraq," the foreign minister told a joint news conference in Baghdad with Foreign Minister Ibrahim Jaafari.
"We have provided Iraq with a total of one billion euros since 2014 and now we are doing a lot of things for Iraq. In the context of Iraq's reconstruction, we have provided an unconditional 5 billion euro loan and we are ready to provide financial assistance," he said.
He pointed out that "it is not enough only to provide money to Iraq, the restoration of stability is linked to the reforms that the government seeks to implement and must be implemented."
"Our discussions today have not focused on Germany strengthening its military efforts in Iraq. Our main efforts are focused on rebuilding the country and providing jobs in the future," he said.
"The media is talking about military efforts only, but we provide assistance, we train the Iraqi security forces, and this is the role we play here alongside Iraq," he said. "As far as fighting terrorism is concerned, life is without a better excuse."
"The Iraqi army is making great sacrifices to protect the civilians it uses as a human shield. This deserves respect and thanks. After the liberation of Mosul, security can be restored by providing opportunities for the population," he said.
"The financial loan provided to Iraq two years ago is worth 500 million euros. It has not been used. It should be used first before providing additional funds for the reconstruction of schools, vocational training, building infrastructure and encouraging people to return home," he said.
For his part, Jaafari called on Germany to release its frozen funds in some of its banks, and called for the opening of its consulate in the province of Basra.
"The support provided by Germany is not small, both financially and logistically, and Germany has stood by the issues demanded by Iraq to strengthen its position in the United Nations. We highly value this, but because the confrontation with the terrorist gangs is not limited and the sabotage capability has threatened not only Iraq Syria is threatening the Middle East and the world, and its danger is large and wide, so we need support. "
"While we thank Germany for its support, we look forward to doubling its support for Iraq at all levels, both financial and military, as well as supporting Iraqi positions at the United Nations," he said.
Jaafari pointed out that the various military forces all united their position under the command of the commander of the Iraqi armed forces Haider Abadi, all fighting under one tent and achieved victories respected by the world, and the security process in Iraq progress but do not eliminate the factor of financial support Iraq is a country rich and multi-resources, The current suffers from a decline in the financial budget due to low oil prices and high costs of war. "
"Germany fought wars in World War I and the second and well appreciated the circumstances of the country that is going through the war," Jaafari said, noting that "the Iraqis have made every effort to unite the Iraqi situation and we need financial support from friendly countries."
Jaafari called on Germany "to receive the injured from the security forces for treatment in German hospitals, especially since Germany has a surgical experience according to the wars I and II, which has experienced a very experienced experience in the field of surgical overlap."
Jaafari thanked his German counterpart for visiting Iraq and providing his country with assistance, hoping to exchange visits on an ongoing basis.
The German Foreign Minister Zygmar Gabriel arrived earlier in the day to the capital Baghdad and met with President Fuad Masum and Speaker of Parliament Salim al-Jubouri.


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