"The recovery of Mosul from the hands of ISIS marks a decisive step in the campaign to eliminate terrorist control in parts of Iraq and to free its people," read a joint statement released by EU foreign affairs chief Federica Mogherini and EU aid commissioner Christos Stylianides on Sunday.

Earlier in the day, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi announced that government forces had liberated the country’s second city from the Takfiri terrorists.

The EU statement further urged the people of Iraq to start rebuilding their country. "It is now essential that a process of return and the re-establishment of trust between communities begins, and that all Iraqis are able to start building a shared future," added the EU statement.

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has also congratulated Iraq for purging Mosul from the terrorists.

“Congratulations to brave people & Government of Iraq upon liberation of Mosul. When Iraqis join hands, no limits to what they can achieve,” tweeted Zarif on his official account on Sunday.

Earlier, Iranian Defense Minister Brigadier General Hossein Dehqan and Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) Ali Shamkhani sent congratulatory messages to the Iraqi government, armed forces and nation over their victory.