During the EP plenary session (24-27/10) in Strasbourg, MEPs debate on the situation in Northern Iraq and Mosul. Statements by Dimitris AVRAMOPOULOS, representing Frederica MOGHERINI, Lars ADAKTUSSON (EPP, SE), Victor BOSTINARU (S&amp;D, RO), and Charles TANNOCK (ECR, UK).

Strasbourg

debate

plenary session

EU - Iraq (T)

fight against terrorism (T)

BOŞTINARU, Victor (S&D, RO)

AVRAMOPOULOS, Dimitris (EL, EC)

TANNOCK, Timothy Charles Ayrton (ECR, UK)

ADAKTUSSON, Lars (EPP, SE)

Situation in Northern Iraq and Mosul: extracts from the debate

SOUNDBITE (English), Dimitris AVRAMOPOULOS, for VPC/HR,  The military campaign to retake Mosul is a critical step in defeating DAESH as a military force and bringing an end to DAESH rule which has had such disastrous consequences for the people of the region, and continues to pose a threat to all of us.

SOUNDBITE (English), Dimitris AVRAMOPOULOS, for VPC/HR,  The military campaign is based on comprehensive planning and coordination between the federal government, the government of the Kurdistan region and the global coalition. This has led to improved political ties between Bagdad and Erbil. It has seen the Iraqi army enter Kurdish territories for the first time in 25 years with the full agreement of the Kurdistan region.

SOUNDBITE (English), Dimitris AVRAMOPOULOS, for VPC/HR,  Prime Minister al-Abadi has taken on board the message concerning the need to protect civilians, and for the Iraqi army to enter Mosul as a liberator, not as an occupying force. Not only that, it is now the Iraqi government which is the more vocal advocate of the protection of civilians, with governmental instruction to its forces, and to the United Nations and the humanitarian community reflecting their approach.

SOUNDBITE (English), Dimitris AVRAMOPOULOS, for VPC/HR,  The European Union is ensuring the delivery of principal lifesaving humanitarian assistance for all civilians most in need, whoever and wherever they are, this is our top priority. Today we have allocated 144 million euros to respond to the needs of Iraq internal displacement.

SOUNDBITE (English), Lars ADAKTUSSON (EPP, SE),  In order to restore Human Rights and property rights, the resolution we are about to debate supports the idea of establishing an autonomous Nineveh Plain province within the framework of the Iraqi Constitution. Furthermore, the resolution emphasises the need for security arrangements and military support to regional defence forces. This is imperative in order to make it possible for refugees and IDPs (internally Displaced Persons) to return to their ancestral homelands.

SOUNDBITE (English), Victor BO&#350;TINARU (S&amp;D, RO),  This is foreseen to be a long lasting operation and our absolute priority is to protect the civilians. We have to ensure that they will not remain trapped in Mosul under heavy gun fire and bomb attacks, and that they are not used as human shields by DAESH. We have to ensure that the military on all fronts will open humanitarian corridors for the citizens and IDPs that flee the fighting. Therefore, my group calls on all parties to abide by the international humanitarian law, to respect principles of proportionality and distinction and to take all precautions to minimise casualties and to ensure that civilians and civilian infrastructure will be protected.

SOUNDBITE (English), Charles TANNOCK (ECR, UK),  We must also be prepared for the movement of ISIS fighters; there is a credible risk that as many as 5000 jihadists will escape the city and make their way to other islamist hotspots across the globe, notably Libya, Somalia and Yemen. We will also see some reach Europe unfortunately.