In Washington, D.C., Linkevičius attends meeting of the Global Coalition on the defeat of ISIS
At the Meeting of the Ministers of the Global Coalition on the Defeat of ISIS, the greatest attention was paid to the strategy against ISIS in Iraq and Syria, supporting the stabilization of territory liberated from ISIS, and specific activities of the Global Coalition. In the discussions, the participants identified and discussed the new measures that enable a more effective fight against the Islamic State.
After the meeting of the Global Coalition, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania Linas Linkevičius stressed that despite the international community’s enormous efforts, terrorism remained a huge problem, the roots of which were both internal and external. According to the Foreign Minister, Lithuania is ready to continue to cooperate closely with members of the Global Coalition working together to defeat terrorism. Linkevičius also underlined Lithuania’s growing contribution to the activities of the coalition and the country’s active participation in the fight against the ISIS’s propaganda, as well as Lithuania’s membership of the military support group. The Foreign Minister noted that after consultation with the allies, Lithuania would consider doubling its contribution to the coalition working to defeat ISIS.
In the meeting in Washington, D.C., the Foreign Ministers adopted a joint statement, reiterating that the members of the Global Coalition were united in common cause to defeat ISIS and to increase their support for stabilization programs in the region, as well as to prevent Da’esh from re-emerging.
“Our battlefield achievements will not suffice for a final defeat of ISIS. We must address fundamental problems that enable the spread of ISIS ideology, and to allocate humanitarian aid adequately in order to create the necessary conditions for people to return to their homes as quickly as possible, to ensure the provision of public services and guarantee security,” said Linkevičius.
The Global Coalition unites 68 partners working to defeat ISIS. Since its formation in 2014, the Global Coalition has allocated more than EUR 22 billion to help stabilize regions in or after conflict, for demining operations, and to provide economic and humanitarian assistance. In more than two years, the partners’ joint efforts have diminished ISIS’ military capability, territorial gains, leadership, financial resources, and influence.
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For more information about the meeting, please read here.
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