High Committee Formed to Demarcate Contested Borders Between Iraq, Kuwait

Kuwaiti Foreign Minister and his Iraqi counterpart during their meeting on Sunday in Baghdad, Iraq.
Kuwaiti Foreign Minister and his Iraqi counterpart during their meeting on Sunday in Baghdad, Iraq.
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High Committee Formed to Demarcate Contested Borders Between Iraq, Kuwait

Kuwaiti Foreign Minister and his Iraqi counterpart during their meeting on Sunday in Baghdad, Iraq.
Kuwaiti Foreign Minister and his Iraqi counterpart during their meeting on Sunday in Baghdad, Iraq.

Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein announced the formation of a high committee to redraw the borders between Iraq and the state of Kuwait following talks held in Baghdad on Sunday with his Kuwaiti counterpart, Salem Abdullah Al-Jaber Al-Sabah.

“This visit marks the first for Al-Sabah since assuming office,” said Hussein during a joint press conference with Al-Sabah at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs building.

Furthermore, Hussein described Al-Sabah’s visit as historic.

“We discussed important issues related to bilateral relations between the two parties,” said Hussein while noting that “the Iraqi delegation, which met with the visiting delegation, included the head of the local government in Basra Governorate, Asaad Al-Eidani, and representatives from the Ministry of Transport and the Ministry of Oil.”

“Our relations with Kuwait are progressing, and they will continue between the two countries,” affirmed the Iraqi minister.

Hussein pointed out that the oil file and the shared fields were part of discussions.

“We discussed facilitating visits between the two countries, in addition to the issue of border demarcation and an agreement to continue the committees' meetings regarding this matter,” added Hussein.

He emphasized the “necessity of resolving border issues between the two countries through dialogue,” while also confirming that "the relations between the two countries are strong, and they will continue through cooperation and dialogue between both parties.”

For his part, Al-Sabah affirmed during the joint press conference that “Kuwait is working with Iraq to demarcate maritime borders.”

He emphasized that “Kuwait is keen to restore matters to their rightful place in the historical trade relationship,” citing the “opening of a commercial attaché at the Kuwaiti Consulate in Basra.”

Al-Sabah continued by saying that he “found alignment in viewpoints with the Iraqi side,” confirming that “the security of the region is a collective security, and Iraq is a neighboring country with whom there are shared deep-rooted and strong historical ties.”

“I feel like I am with my family in Baghdad, and we have had very fruitful discussions, and we are determined to implement what was agreed upon in the talks,” said the Kuwaiti minister.

 

 



Iranian Official to Asharq Al-Awsat: Committed to Peace and Stability with Saudi Arabia

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht Ravanchi (Reuters)
Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht Ravanchi (Reuters)
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Iranian Official to Asharq Al-Awsat: Committed to Peace and Stability with Saudi Arabia

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht Ravanchi (Reuters)
Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht Ravanchi (Reuters)

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht Ravanchi reaffirmed Iran and Saudi Arabia’s mutual determination to establish lasting peace and stability in the region.
Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat during his visit to Riyadh, Ravanchi emphasized that achieving this goal requires sustained bilateral and regional cooperation to address current threats and build a foundation for prosperity and security.
During his meetings with the Saudi Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, Eng. Waleed ElKhereiji, Ravanchi discussed strengthening bilateral relations in political, economic, and consular fields, and explored key regional and international issues.
He described Saudi-Iranian efforts as a “successful model of bilateral and multilateral cooperation,” aimed at fostering peace, security, and development on both regional and international levels. Ravanchi underscored the importance of historical ties and the principle of good neighborliness as the basis for advancing this relationship.
Following the second meeting of the Saudi-Chinese-Iranian trilateral committee in Riyadh, both Saudi Arabia and Iran reiterated their full commitment to implementing the Beijing Agreement, according to a statement by the Saudi foreign ministry. The accord, mediated by China, aims to restore diplomatic ties and promote mutual respect for sovereignty and security in accordance with the principles of the UN Charter, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), and international law.
China praised the progress achieved since the agreement’s signing, including the reopening of embassies and increased bilateral engagement. It pledged to continue supporting Saudi-Iranian efforts to deepen their cooperation and maintain regional stability.
Ravanchi, who previously served as Iran’s ambassador to the United Nations and was a member of the Iranian nuclear negotiating team with the P5+1, described the atmosphere of the meetings as “cordial and transparent.” He added that the three nations exchanged views on topics of mutual interest and stressed the importance of continuing this “positive and forward-looking process.” He also revealed “constructive and friendly” meetings held by the Iranian delegation with their Saudi hosts and Chinese counterparts, during which they discussed enhancing bilateral and trilateral cooperation and reviewed developments in relations over the past year.
One significant development has been the improvement in consular services. Over 87,000 Iranian pilgrims performed Hajj, and more than 52,000 completed Umrah in the past year, demonstrating enhanced coordination. Additionally, the first meeting of the Saudi-Iranian Joint Media Committee and the signing of an MoU between Saudi Arabia’s Prince Saud Al-Faisal Institute for Diplomatic Studies and Iran’s Institute for Political and International Studies further strengthened institutional ties.
The trilateral meeting also tackled pressing regional challenges, particularly the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The participants condemned Israel’s aggression in Palestine, Lebanon, and Iran, calling for an immediate cessation of hostilities and the continuation of humanitarian aid to affected regions. They warned that ongoing violence poses significant risks to regional and global security, including threats to maritime safety.
On Yemen, the parties reiterated their support for a comprehensive political solution under United Nations auspices. They emphasized the importance of dialogue and diplomacy to achieve lasting peace in the war-torn country.
Saudi-Iranian relations have undergone a remarkable transformation since the signing of the Beijing Agreement. The reopening of embassies, including Iran’s embassy in Riyadh in June after a seven-year hiatus, marked a turning point in their ties.
Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Consular Affairs Alireza Bigdeli described the day as a “historic milestone” in Saudi-Iranian relations. He expressed confidence that the renewed relationship would reach its peak, emphasizing that the restoration of ties between Iran and Saudi Arabia opens a new chapter in bilateral and regional relations, aimed at greater cooperation and stability.