SULAIMANI (ESTA) — The relationship between Iraq and Kuwait is “solid” and “strong”, said the Kuwaiti Foreign Minister on Sunday.
Iraq’s President Latish Rashid welcomed the Foreign Minister of Kuwait at his residential site in Baghdad, according to a statement released by the Presidency office.
During the meeting. Iraq’s Rashid stated that “it is critical to consolidate fraternal relations between the two countries,” he said, according to the statement.
In his remarks, the President called for the promotion of understanding and constructive cooperation between the two countries.
“There is an urgent need to continue coordination and joint action in order to reach a satisfactory understanding of the thorny issues in order to find feasible solutions and to advance the cause of progress and well-being,” he added.
“We are interested in the success of all efforts aimed at stabilizing the security and stability necessary for the continuation of work and construction.”
For his part, the Kuwaiti Minister noted that talks with the Iraqi Ministry of Foreign Affairs were fruitful, and “the relationship between the two countries is solid and strong.”
He also expected these Iraq-Kuwait relations to improve further, adding “It is his hope that these relations will be strengthened in various areas in the future.”
Iraqi forces under then-dictator Saddam Hussein invaded oil-rich Kuwait on August 2, 1990, sparking international condemnation.
They occupied the Gulf state for seven months before they were pushed put by a U.S.-led international coalition in the first Gulf War early in 1991.
In 1991, the U.N. obliged Baghdad to compensate individuals, companies and governmental organizations and others who incurred losses resulting from the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait.
Iraq-Kuwait relations were pretty much developed after that period of turmoil and the fall of Hussine’s regime in 2003.
High-level visits between both sides have occurred. Recently, in late November last year the Iraqi Prime Minister paid a visit to the country and met with its Emir.
In the meantime, Kuwait has opened consulates in Najaf and Erbil.
