Global Arab Network | New chapter - Kuwait, Iraq strengthening relations

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New chapter - Kuwait, Iraq strengthening relations

Thursday, 17 February 2011 11:23

KUWAIT - Kuwaiti and Iraqi governments voiced willingness to translate good sentiments between both sides into concrete steps, thus ushering in a fresh launching point and pushing forward their bonds.

This came at a news conference by the two countries' foreign ministers following talks between His Highness the Kuwaiti Prime Minister Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and his Iraqi counterpart Nouri Al-Maliki.

Kuwait's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Dr. Mohammad Al-Salem Al-Sabah hailed, at the news conference, the visit by the Iraqi delegation as "historic".

He said the visit comes at a time when Kuwait is celebrating the 50th anniversary of the National Day, 20th anniversary of the Liberation Day and the fifth anniversary of HH the Amir's assumption of power.

"The visit of this high-level delegation, together with the coming visit by Iraqi President Jalal Talbani, aiming to share us national occasions are a clear-cut sign of a new stage and closing the chapter of perfidy...the back chapter in inter-Arab relations." "The new Iraq...Iraq of democracy, peace and peaceful coexistence internally and even with its neighbors would undoubtedly act as a key supporter for regional security and the Arab world," he said.

Sheikh Mohammad said the Iraqi delegation had met HH the Amir earlier in the day on several issues.

Concerning talks between both countries' prime ministers, he said they had agreed that some matters would need swift response, while others would require legislative and legal procedures, together with suggestions on how to develop bilateral relations.

The Kuwaiti deputy premier and foreign minister announced that the second session of the Kuwaiti-Iraqi joint meeting would be held in Iraq on March 13-14.

"This shows a desire to usher in a fresh stage of relations between both countries," he said.

He added that Kuwait would reopen its consulate in Basra once the building, together with other Kuwaiti properties, are taken back to the State of Kuwait.

However, the Kuwaiti official said joint technical studies are required for possible Kuwaiti investment in Iraq, pointing that mammoth projects would be set up on the Arabian Gulf.

He added that the talks had also dealt with Iraq's debts to Kuwait, saying "such matters require necessary legislation".

"It is the first time for us to sit and talk about such details. I believe we have achieved a practical and scientific methodology in talks, and we have set what procedures would be taken concerning each issue," he said.

Sheikh Mohammad said the Iraqi delegation had met HH the Amir earlier in the day on several issues.

Concerning talks between both countries' prime ministers, he said they had agreed that some matters would need swift response, while others would require legislative and legal procedures, together with suggestions on how to develop bilateral relations.

The Kuwaiti deputy premier and foreign minister announced that the second session of the Kuwaiti-Iraqi joint meeting would be held in Iraq on March 13-14.

"This shows a desire to usher in a fresh stage of relations between both countries," he said.

He added that Kuwait would reopen its consulate in Basra once the building, together with other Kuwaiti properties, are taken back to the State of Kuwait.

However, the Kuwaiti official said joint technical studies are required for possible Kuwaiti investment in Iraq, pointing that mammoth projects would be set up on the Arabian Gulf.

He added that the talks had also dealt with Iraq's debts to Kuwait, saying "such matters require necessary legislation".

"It is the first time for us to sit and talk about such details. I believe we have achieved a practical and scientific methodology in talks, and we have set what procedures would be taken concerning each issue," he said.

For his part, Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari said talks between both countries' prime ministers had given a "fresh strong push to Kuwaiti-Iraqi relations", leading up to the resolution of all matters and issues.

He said they had discussed all issues bearing on Iraq's commitment to UN Security Council Resolution 833, border marks, the fate of missing Kuwaitis and Kuwaiti properties, compensations, debts and damages to Iraqi farmers on the border due to the border demarcation and the possible reopening of the Kuwaiti consulate in Basra.

He went on to say that they had also mulled over Iraq's right to use sea pathways as per international legitimacy resolutions and Kuwaiti suggestions for helping Iraq in this respect.

Ways and means of pushing forward bilateral diplomatic, consular, economic and investment relations between Iraq and Kuwait were also considered, he said.

An agreement has been reached for reactivating the Iraqi-Kuwaiti joint committee, with the participation of representatives from both countries' concerned ministries and sea jurists, he added.

He termed Iraqi-Kuwaiti relations as unbreakable, pointing to the bonds of neighborhood, national, tribal and social closeness.

He finally congratulated the State of Kuwait on the 50th anniversary of its National Day, 20th anniversary of its Liberation Day and fifth anniversary of HH the Amir's assumption of power.
(KUNA)

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