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Federal Foreign Office on the meeting of the Global Coalition to Counter ISIL in Berlin
A Federal Foreign Office Spokesperson issued the following statement today (17 November) on today’s meeting of the Small Group of the Global Coalition to Counter ISIL, which was opened by State Secretary Markus Ederer and Brett McGurk, Special Presidential Envoy for the Global Coalition to Counter ISIL:
Progress is being made in the fight against IS – the terror militia IS has been pushed back from wide areas of the territories that it had seized in Iraq and Syria. Nevertheless, the threat that IS poses is still far from being eradicated and our mission is by no means accomplished. The Global Coalition to Counter ISIL therefore held intense discussions in Berlin on the next steps to be taken, on the ground in Iraq and Syria, and also in Europe, to continue to prevent young people from falling prey to IS’ inhumane ideology.
It is still impossible to predict how long it will take to liberate the cities of Mosul and Raqqa from IS. However, it is clear that it is extremely urgent to plan for the time ahead, to stabilise the territories that will one day be liberated and to offer the people in the region prospects for the future. These efforts will only meet with success if all those involved, both in the international community and in the region, pull together.
Ultimately, it is the people in Iraq and Syria themselves who will shake off the yoke of IS and drive forward the reconstruction of their home regions. The international community and Germany remain firmly at their side in this endeavour.
Background information:
The Global Coalition to Counter ISIL, joined by Libya today, now numbers 65 countries and three international organisations with the Arab League, European Union and Interpol. Regular discussions are held within the framework of the Small Group of the Coalition, alternating between meetings attended by ministers and senior officials. The latest ministerial meeting was held in Washington on 21 July 2016. Germany is one of the largest contributors to humanitarian and stabilisation support for Iraq and Syria and, together with the United Arab Emirates, co-chairs the Stabilisation Working Group of the Global Coalition to Counter ISIL.
