By NNN-KUNA,
Stockholm : Swedish Premier Fredrik Reinfeldt has underscored the importance of boosting international assistance to Iraq in not only the economic sector, but also in the political sphere.
Speaking at the inauguration of the First Annual Review of the International Compact with Iraq (ICI) Thursday, he highlighted the need to emphasize human rights, including the rights of women and refugees, noting that since 2003, his country was host to more than 40,000 Iraqi refugees, the largest number in Europe.
Sweden, he said, would continue to support the Iraqi government and people economically, politically and socially in the best interest of Iraq’s future.
Noting the significance of Iraq to his country, he said: “More than 1 per cent of the Swedish population is of Iraqi origin, and Iraq is an important factor in our security.”
Envoys and senior figures representing major powers and foreign countries are participating in the event.