Kuwait reiterates backing for Iraq's 'security and stability'

(MENAFN- Arab Times) BAGHDAD Dec 28 (KUNA): Kuwait's First Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah reaffirmed here on Sunday his country's support for Iraq's efforts to restore security and stability. Speaking during the fourth meeting of the joint Kuwaiti-Iraqi committee held here today Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled said: 'Based on the principles of brotherliness and values of neighborliness we'd like to reiterate ultimate support for Iraq's efforts to build a safer and more stable present and a more prosperous tomorrow.'

'We are confident that the present dark clouds would vanish soon and that under the extraordinary circumstances facing Iraq while seeking to establish security democracy and freedom in face of forces of delusion and intellectual backwardness designed to impede Iraq's recent pivotal and significant watershed everybody should fully interact and take necessary measures to combat such brutal attacks' he said. Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled also stressed Kuwait's commitment to UNSC resolutions 2170 and 2178 regarding the fight against terrorism while welcoming the regional and international role played by Iraq at present to fight terrorist organizations in spite of all obstacles it is facing. Thanking Iraq for warm welcome and hospitality he spoke highly of its involvement in regional and international meetings and gatherings in this regard. He called for more efforts to monitor the implementation of the outcomes of the joint committee meetings including 43 previously signed agreements and memos of understanding together with agreements to be inked today.

The Kuwaiti foreign minister cited intensive mutual visits between Kuwaiti and Iraqi officials as a clearcut sign of mutual willingness to promote and upgrade close relations to fresh horizons. The fact that two-way trade exchange hit $2.5 billion last year and the number of mutual direct flights has gone up since they were resumed over a couple of years ago reflects both nations' desire to upgrade 'distinguished' relations based on brotherliness and mutual interest to the level of strategic partnership in all fields he added. Kuwait and Iraq have signed a number of agreements and memos of understanding for bilateral cooperation in various domains with Kuwait to open two consulates in Basra and Irbil soon. The deals were signed by Kuwait's First Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah Al- Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah and Iraqi Foreign Minister Ibrahim Al- Jaafari at the wrapping-up of the Kuwaiti-Iraqi joint committee meeting here on Sunday.

The agreements are primarily intended to serve the interests of the Kuwaiti and Iraqi people in diverse cooperative realms. Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled reaffirmed Kuwait's support for Iraq's fight against terrorist attacks designed to impede this Arab country's ongoing efforts to restore its regional and international presence. Speaking at a joint news conference with his Iraqi counterpart Ibrahim Al-Jaafari Sheikh Sabah Al- Khaled said: 'We have signed agreements and memos of understanding with the Iraqi side with a view to promoting bilateral security cooperation.' He said Kuwait is willing to cooperate with Iraq in all fields adding that he had met with Iraqi President Fuad Masum and Prime Minister Haider Al-Abadi on bilateral relations. He said both sides had signed today three agreements for bilateral cooperation in various areas bringing the total of agreements and memos of understanding signed by both sides up to 45 deals. Two-way trade exchange amounted to $2.5 billion last year the Kuwaiti foreign minister said adding that Kuwait will open two consulates in Basra and Irbil in the coming few days. 'Kuwait and Iraq have also agreed to facilitate the entry of Iraqi diplomatic passport holders and travelers to the State of Kuwait' he said. Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled also reiterated his country's willingness to coordinate with Iraq in order to facilitate the maritime movement in the region. On joint oil fields and wells he said: 'They are part of dossiers put on table at the Kuwaiti-Iraqi joint meetings.'

But he said both sides need a joint committee to monitor and organize traffic at Khur Abdullah port. On the issue of fishers the Kuwaiti minister hailed existing cooperation between both countries to resolve any possible problem in this regard adding that the Kuwaiti side had called for broadening cooperation in the field of fishing. Kuwait and Iraq are looking forward to promoting and developing bilateral cooperation not only in investment but in sports arts and education as well Sheikh Sabah Al- Khaled noted. For his part Iraqi Foreign Minister Ibrahim Al-Jaafari stressed the significance of Kuwait's backing to Iraq for boosting its security capabilities and appreciated its recent decision to defer Iraq's payment of compensation to Kuwait thus alleviating the burdens of the financial crisis Iraq is facing. He highly commended Kuwait's help to Iraq in face of terrorist organizations and groups mainly the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) which poses a threat to the entire region. The Iraqi minister lauded relations with the State of Kuwait pointing to his country's willingness to bolster and beef up bilateral cooperation in order to serve the interests of their countries and peoples.

Meahwhile Sheikh Sabah Al- Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah met with Iraqi President Fuad Masum here on Sunday. During the meeting they discussed the latest developments on both regional and international arenas and bilateral cooperative relations and how to further cement and consolidate them in various domains. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Commerce and Industry and Acting Minister of Finance Abdulmohsen Al-Madaj Ambassador Sheikh Dr Ahmad Nasser Al-Mohammad Al-Sabah Kuwaiti Ambassador to Iraq Ghassan Al-Zawawi and several other Kuwaiti and Iraqi officials were present in the talks. The Iraqi Foreign Minister Ibrahim Al-Jaafari held Sunday a luncheon in the honor of visiting Kuwait's Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al- Sabah and his accompanying delegation. The Kuwaiti FM is visiting Iraq to partake in the fourth meeting of the higher Iraqi-Kuwaiti committee held early today in Baghdad.