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.

 

 



Arab, Islamic, African Mechanism Established to Support Palestinian Cause

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan (Reuters)
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan (Reuters)
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Arab, Islamic, African Mechanism Established to Support Palestinian Cause

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan (Reuters)
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan (Reuters)

The Arab League, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), and the African Union (AU) signed a tripartite agreement on Monday to support the Palestinian cause, during the Arab-Islamic Summit in Riyadh.

The move was praised by the summit, especially for the African Union’s strong position on the issue.

According to information obtained by Asharq Al-Awsat, the mechanism will be coordinated through the organizations’ secretariats. Representatives will meet regularly to align their positions and strengthen their influence in international forums.

Joint coordination meetings will be held soon to finalize the details of the agreement.

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan welcomed the cooperation, noting that the three organizations will now speak with one voice internationally, instead of through individual bilateral talks.

Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit added that while Arab-African and Arab-Islamic cooperation already exists, this is the first time an agreement has united the three organizations on this issue.

He said the agreement will expand cooperation and set a clear strategy moving forward.