On 26 November EUAM Iraq participated in a Transfer of Authority Ceremony held in Baghdad, Iraq. Major-General (MGen) Jennie Carignan officially assumed command of the NATO Mission Iraq (NMI) from MGen Dany Fortin.

In October, EUAM Iraq and the NMI signed a Memorandum of Cooperation to formalise and further strengthen the good cooperation between the two Missions. EUAM Iraq and NMI are committed to collaborate and cooperate in fields such as: capacity building, human resources management, crisis management, governance, gender, women, peace, security and international law including human rights.

Admiral James Foggo, Commander Allied Joint Force Command based in Naples, Italy, presided the ceremony in presence of special guests and mission members.  

MGen Fortin was designated as the first Commander of this new NATO Mission Iraq at the end of summer 2018 for a 1-year mandate. Announced earlier in June, Canada accepted to assume the leadership of the mission for a second year.

“Over this first year, our team of military and civilian members from the Alliance and partner countries as well as our local employees have dedicated themselves to this Mission and for that I’m grateful. Most important, we have established strong bonds with the Government of Iraq and its Ministry of Defence.”

Since fall 2018, the NMI grew from a small team to a fully-fledged mission that provides advice on capacity building at ministerial level. In addition, advisory and training teams work on a daily basis with Iraqi partners in 12 military schools and institutions including Defence University for Military Studies. 

EUAM Iraq wishes MGen Fortin, the outgoing Commander all the best in his future endeavors. The Mission is looking forward to a fruitful and continuous cooperation with MGen Carignan, the incoming Commander.