All states condemn in the strongest possible terms the hitherto unprecedented brutality currently being seen in the Middle East, reported Federal Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier after the meeting. International activities must now be coordinated. The Chancellor has assured Iraq of further support in its fight against the IS terrorists.
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The IS has once again attacked towns and villages and driven people from their homes. This shows how important the meeting in New York was, said Federal Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier. Forty nations had come to the special session of the United Nations to discuss joint action against the Islamic State (IS).
Joint action against IS is called for, said the Federal Foreign Minister after the special session. "Without it we cannot counter this threat." He said, it is important that military instruments be anchored in a political strategy. Germany, he added, is prepared to play its part.
All states, including countries such as Russia, China and even Iran, condemned in the strongest possible terms what amounts to an unprecedented brutality towards human brings in the Middle East. And that is progress, declared the Federal Foreign Minister.
Before the UN special session, Frank-Walter Steinmeier met with United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. He pledged more assistance in the fight against the Ebola epidemic. Their meeting focused on fighting the Islamic terrorist organisation IS. He also discussed in depth the crisis in Ukraine and the difficult situation in Syria and Iraq with the Secretary-General.
On Thursday the Chancellor spoke by telephone with Iraq’s Prime Minister, Haider al-Abadi, to find out first hand about the current situation on the ground. She reaffirmed Germany’s support for the new Iraqi government, reported federal government spokesperson Steffen Seibert on Friday. It is important that a new inclusive policy be credibly implemented at this stage, he said.
Prime Minister al-Abadi thanked the German government for its support to date, reported Steffen Seibert. He is determined to push through reforms, and enforce a policy of reconciliation. The most urgent task facing him, however, is the fight against Islamic State (IS) terrorists.
The Chancellor and Prime Minister al-Abadi expressly welcomed international efforts to put in place an effective alliance against the IS terrorists.
The German government’s policy on Iraq focuses on a comprehensive political approach, concentrating on strengthening Iraq’s new government, providing humanitarian aid and maintaining contacts with the states in the region.
This approach also involves what is termed the "delegitimation" of IS, cutting off funding for the terrorist organisation and continued support for the Kurdish regional government. The latter is also taking the form of supplies of military equipment, including arms and ammunition.
The fight against IS is seen as a long-term task by the German government. There will be close consultation with Germany’s partners.
During the general debate in the German Bundestag on 10 September, the Chancellor explained that Germany’s engagement will be embedded in the alliance with the United States of America, the European Union and partners in the Arab world. The fight against the IS terrorists calls for a determined and resolute approach on the part of all allies.
The Chancellor met this week with the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh al-Thani at the Federal Chancellery. During their meeting they also discussed the threat posed by the terrorist organisation IS.
The intolerance and brutality demonstrated by IS in their fight against all other faiths is utterly unacceptable, declared the Chancellor in Berlin. The IS is a serious threat to security throughout the entire Middle East, she said.
The Chancellor also stressed the fact that she and the Emir were largely in agreement. This intolerance and brutality and the war on everyone who does not share their world views cannot be accepted. Qatar, said the Chancellor, is also a member of the alliance that the USA is currently putting together. Emir al-Thani had underlined that Qatar would never support terrorist groups. Qatar, he said, had also joined the alliance in the fight against IS.
At the NATO summit meeting in Wales, ten nations including Germany decided to form an alliance to tackle the IS. At the summit it was decided to put in place a "clearing house mechanism" to coordinate bilateral support measures. Within NATO’s existing partnership with Iraq, it will also explore ways of extending Iraq’s defence capacities, if this is so desired by the government of Iraq.