Merkel rules out German participation in NATO training inside Iraq
IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency
Brussels, Nov 23, IRNA
NATO-Germany-Merkel
German Chancellor Angela Merkel stressed Wednesday that her country will not support NATO's training mission of Iraqi security personnel inside Iraq.
"We repeated once again that...we will not support training measures inside Iraq.. but continue to provide any kind of assistance in the surrounding countries in the neighbouring countries," Merkel told reporters after holding talks with NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer in Brussels Wednesday evening.
NATO has established a Training Mission in Iraq and is running a training centre for senior security and defence officials on the outskirts of Baghdad.
Germany was one of the NATO member states to oppose the US-led war against Iraq.
Only a day after her appointment, the new Chancellor of Germany visited NATO headquarters in Brussels.
Her visit '' underlines the importance Germany attaches to NATO,'' noted Scheffer, adding that ''Germany plays a very important role in the transatlantic Alliance .''
Among other issues, the new German Chancellor and the Secretary General discussed the NATO Summits planned for 2006 and 2008, and the future of NATO's involvement in Afghanistan and Iraq.
"NATO should be the place where people turn first with member states to discuss political issues of common concern," Merkel said.
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