Federal Foreign Office on the meeting of the Global Coalition to Counter ISIL in Berlin

Progress is being made in the fight against IS – the terror militia IS has been pushed back from wide areas of the territories that it had seized in Iraq and Syria. Nevertheless, the threat that IS poses is still far from being eradicated and our mission is by no means accomplished. The Global Coalition to Counter ISIL therefore held intense discussions in Berlin on the next steps to be taken, on the ground in Iraq and Syria, and also in Europe, to continue to prevent young people from falling prey to IS’ inhumane ideology.

It is still impossible to predict how long it will take to liberate the cities of Mosul and Raqqa from IS. However, it is clear that it is extremely urgent to plan for the time ahead, to stabilise the territories that will one day be liberated and to offer the people in the region prospects for the future. These efforts will only meet with success if all those involved, both in the international community and in the region, pull together.

Ultimately, it is the people in Iraq and Syria themselves who will shake off the yoke of IS and drive forward the reconstruction of their home regions. The international community and Germany remain firmly at their side in this endeavour.