Qatar and Kuwait on Tuesday affirmed their keenness to strengthen defense cooperation in all fields and develop strategic relations and partnerships to protect the security and stability of the two countries and the region.
In a joint statement on the occasion of the visit of Kuwaiti Emir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah to Doha where he held talks with Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, the two sides stressed the importance of Iraq's commitment to the agreement regulating maritime navigation in the Khor Abdullah waterway.
They also stressed that the Durra field is entirely located within Kuwait's marine borders and that the natural resources in the submerged area adjacent to the Kuwaiti-Saudi divided zone, including the entire Durra field, are jointly owned by only Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, categorically rejecting any claims (Iranian) that a third party has rights to these resources.
At the Palestinian level, the two sides expressed their deep concern over the humanitarian catastrophe in the Gaza Strip, and the brutal war that claimed thousands of defenseless civilians and destroyed vital facilities, places of worship and infrastructure as a result of the blatant attacks by Israel, the occupying power.
Kuwait and Qatar therefore called for pressure on Israel to stop its aggression and prevent attempts to impose forced displacement on Palestinians from the Gaza Strip.
Kuwaiti Emir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah had left Doha on Tuesday afternoon, following a short trip to Qatar where he held talks with Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani.
The joint statement issued following the visit said a session of official talks was held at the Amiri Diwan during which the two Emirs discussed bilateral relations between the two brotherly countries and ways to further develop them in all fields.
The two sides praised the growth of trade relations and bilateral investments between the two countries as the volume of trade exchange between Qatar and Kuwait reached $1.94 billion until October 2023.
They stressed the importance of expanding the horizons of cooperation and economic partnership, achieving integration between the opportunities available in both countries, and exploring and developing economic opportunities in light of Qatar Vision 2030 and Kuwait Vision 2035.
Both countries welcomed Qatari and Kuwaiti investors and companies' expansion of their business in the two countries and taking advantage of the opportunities available in the giant projects in all sectors.
They also expressed their aspiration to the convening of the 6th session of the Qatar-Kuwait Joint Higher Cooperation Committee scheduled to be held this year in Doha, and to working on implementing the agreements, memorandums of understanding and joint programs that were agreed upon.
The two sides noted the close cooperation between them in political, military, security, economic, cultural, scientific and sports fields, and other areas of joint cooperation.
On the defense and security side, they affirmed their keenness to strengthen defense cooperation in all fields and develop strategic relations and partnerships to protect the security and stability of the two countries and the region.
Kuwait and Qatar then stressed their desire to enhance cooperation in topics of common interest, including: combating crimes in all its forms, combating drugs, promoting border security, combating extremism, hate speech and terrorism, and spreading a culture of moderation and tolerance in order to achieve security and stability in the two brotherly countries.
The two sides discussed the progress of joint GCC cooperation and the outstanding achievements to meet the aspirations of the citizens of the GCC countries towards greater interconnection, cooperation and integration.
They stressed the importance of maintaining cohesion, solidarity and unity of the GCC countries and intensifying efforts to complete the components of economic unity and the joint defense and security systems.
Kuwait and Qatar tackled the latest regional developments and their repercussions on inter-Arab relations, regional security and stability.
They also stressed the importance of Iraq's respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the State of Kuwait and adherence to bilateral and international pledges and agreements and all relevant UN resolutions, especially Security Council Resolution 833 (1993) on the demarcation of the land and sea borders between Kuwait and Iraq, and the importance of completing the demarcation of the maritime borders between the two countries beyond maritime mark 162.
The Kuwait-Iraq agreement regulating maritime navigation in the Khor Abdullah waterway was signed on April 29, 2012, before being ratified by both countries to take effect on Dec. 5, 2013, and jointly deposited with the UN on Dec. 18. 2013.
Both sides rejected Iraq's unilateral cancellation of the 2008 security swap protocol and its map approved in the joint plan to ensure the safety of navigation in Khor Abdullah signed between the two sides on Dec. 28, 2014, which included a clear and specific mechanism for amendment and cancellation.
The two countries also renewed support for Security Council Resolution 2107 (2013), which requests the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) to strengthen, support, and facilitate efforts related to searching for missing Kuwaitis and third-country nationals and determining their fate.
