"EUAM Iraq is part of a much wider effort and commitment. An effort involving many but an effort aligned through our shared resolve to support Iraq in giving its people the future it needs and one its people so deserve", stated the EU Civilian Operations Commander Kenneth Deane in his opening speech.

The inauguration ceremony in Baghdad took place in the evening of Wednesday, 22 November and was attended by high-level Iraqi representatives from the Iraqi Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Office of the National Security Adviser. The EU was represented through the Head of the EU Delegation to Iraq Ramon Blecua and diplomats from the EU member States. Distinguished representatives of the UN Assistance Mission Iraq, UNDP as well as of the US diplomatic corps also participated.

"EUAM Iraq will ensure complementarity with the various ongoing efforts to strengthen civilian security in Iraqi and focus on critical areas identified by Iraqi partners", underlined Dr. Markus Ritter, a senior German police officer and Head of EUAM Iraq.

The inauguration was preceded by introductory meetings with the Iraqi Prime Minister Mr. Haider al-Abadi as well as other high-level Iraqi and international partners.

The EU has considerable expertise on civilian aspects of the security sector. The Mission will work mainly with the Office of the National Security Adviser and the Ministry of Interior to support them in the implementation of the National Security Strategy and the civilian aspects of the Security Sector Reform, including the National Counter-Terrorism Strategy. The Mission will also assist in the coordination of EU and Member States support in the Civilian Security Sector.

The Iraqi government is working on the implementation of its National Security Strategy and the reform of its security sector. In August Prime Minister Abadi requested on behalf of the Iraqi government the assistance of international partners and the EU in particular, for advice and support in these efforts.

The focus of the Mission will be on three Lines of Operation:

Provide strategic advice on the implementation of civilian aspects of the Iraqi National Security Strategy, the Security Sector Reform Strategy and on the development of National Counter-Terrorism and Organised Crime Strategies; Strategic coordination and cooperation, including contribution to the management and running of the Iraqi SSR Joint Secretariat; Mapping and gap analysis to identify opportunities for potential future EU support in the implementation of the National Security Strategy and the Security Sector.

The Mission has a mandate of one year, until 17 October 2018.