EU extends advisory mission in Iraq

By Serife Cetin

BRUSSELS (AA) - The European Union extended the duration of its Advisory Mission (EUAM) in Iraq until 2020 on Monday, it said in a statement.

EU’s Foreign Affairs Council gathered in Luxembourg and decided to extend its mission which was established last year to assist Iraqi officials in civilian matters.

The mission will end on April 17, 2020.

It also agreed on a budget of €64.8 million for the period from Oct. 18, 2018 to April 17, 2020.

The Council also updated the mandate of the mission to reflect lessons learnt during the first year of the mission and following its strategic review.

Markus Ritter from Germany leads 52 staff of the mission.