The Benelux countries’ Ministers of Foreign Affairs are currently undertaking a joint work visit in Jordan and Iraq, from 17 to 19 December 2016.
The Luxembourg Minister for Foreign and European Affairs, Jean Asselborn, is in charge of the Benelux delegation during these work visits abroad.
This joint work visit marks the occasion for discussing a large range of questions linked to regional security and the latest political developments in the region, whilst taking into account the situation on the field.
Firstly, the three Benelux Ministers met in Amman, Jordan, where they were received by their counterpart Nasser Judeh on 17 December 2016.
The discussions with Jordanian authorities focused on the situation in the Middle-East, mainly on the latest developments in Syria and the fight against ISIS. Representing Benelux, Jean Asselborn assured the Jordanian authorities of the three countries’ solidarity and political support in their continued efforts to welcome refugees.
On 18 December, the Benelux ministers of foreign affairs met in Baghdad, Iraq, where they were received by Prime Minister Haider Al-Abadi and also met their Iraqi counterpart, Dr. Ibrahim Abdul-Kareem Jaafari. Likewise, they met with the Special Representative to the UN for Iraq, Jan Kubis, as well as members of civil society.
They later visited the Iraqi security forces’ demining and counter-terrorism centre in Salmanpak, in the south of Baghdad.
Then today, the Ministers continued their work visit in Erbil, in Kurdistan, where they met several Kurdish dignitaries, such as the Deputy Prime Minister Jalal Talabani, as well as President Barzini.
Finally, they visited a refugee camp in Ghazir before gathering in the village of Hashansham, which was occupied by ISIS for several months.
Photo by MAEE: Benelux Ministers of Foreign Affairs Jean Asselborn, Didier Reynders and Bert Koenders with Jordan Minister of Foreign Affairs Nasser Judeh
