EUAM Iraq facilitated a benchmarking visit of Iraqi officials to Madrid between 13 – 17 February 2023 to support the evolution the Iraqi led National Security Strategy (NSS) process.
The Delegation, comprising nine senior officials from the Office of the National Security Advisor (ONSA) participated in policy exchange and strategic dialogue with relevant Spanish counterparts from the Department of Homeland Security (DSN), the Ministry of Interior and National Police to enhance understanding of the Spanish national security system, national security strategy structures and mechanisms, implementation, review, and governance arrangements.
The ONSA officials, members of the National Security Strategy Permanent Standing Committee (NSSPSC) that are engaged in the development of Iraq’s National Security Strategy for Iraq, received several strategic level briefings and participated in discussions on a wide range of national security policy related matters. This included issues relating to national threat and risk identification and prioritisation, crisis management, coordination mechanisms and oversight, , counter-terrorism, organised crime including narcotics, cyber and hybrid threats.
The engagement of wider society in national security matters and the importance of inclusion and consultation, a key aspect of the Spanish approach, was also highlighted including the overarching objectives of the Spanish NSS as well as the structural arrangements to ensure its effective implementation.
The visit was also catalytic in strengthening cooperation between all stakeholders.
John Mulcahy, EUAM Iraq’s Senior Strategic Adviser accompanying the Iraqi delegation commented: “The benchmarking visit was instructive and highly insightful for the delegation. It underscored EUAM Iraq, the Government of Spain and European Union’s resolute commitment to continue enabling this critical Iraqi-led agenda as well as the support for the Iraqi government’s policy objectives, ambition and vision for Iraq’s security, sovereignty, territorial integrity and stability.”
