Finalize arrangements for the exit of the country from Chapter VII end of the month

06/13/2013 09:16



Iraq and Kuwait signed six agreements and memoranda of understanding covering aspects of economic, commercial, cultural, environmental and diplomatic and transport.

While Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki move Iraq's relations with Kuwait to a new stage, informed sources revealed a tendency Baghdad early next week to New York to finalize arrangements for the exit of the country from Chapter VII end of the month, after the approval of Kuwait and ensure the vote Russia on it.

A statement from the prime minister received "morning," a copy of it on Wednesday: "Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki held a bilateral meeting with his Kuwaiti counterpart Sheikh Jaber Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, confirmed through transmission of the relationship between Iraq and Kuwait to a new stage," adding that "This meeting was followed by a joint meeting in the presence of members of the Iraqi and Kuwaiti delegations. "

The statement noted that al-Maliki said in a speech opened the session of the Joint Meeting: "The Iraq would not only override the crisis, but will open with Kuwait, a new era of cooperation and the development of political and economic relations, and in the areas of investment, energy, transport and the environment," calling "businessmen and the Kuwaiti private sector to take advantage of the many investment opportunities available in Iraq, and hold a joint conference of businessmen from both countries to discuss opportunities for cooperation in this area. "

For his part, Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah "open a new stage in relations, Iraq - Kuwait, beyond which address the legacy turn the page on the past, to a wider relations in all fields."

In a joint statement the two sides of Iraq and Kuwait came after the end of their meeting yesterday, stressed the "strengthening and developing bilateral relations and push for new horizons and further communication and coordination at all levels, reflecting the level of development in bilateral relations between the two brotherly countries," pointing out that "the two sides reviewed during the meeting the development of bilateral relations between the two countries, and expressed their satisfaction at the progress of tangible progress in the areas of cooperation between the two countries and issues of common interest. "

The statement added that he "was signed a number of agreements and memorandums of understanding included aspects of economic, commercial, cultural, environmental, diplomatic and transport," noting that the two sides "agreed to proceed with the work to strengthen the process of bilateral cooperation in all fields and work to open new horizons to achieve the aspirations of the leaderships and peoples of the two countries brothers, and continue and continue coordination and consultation regarding all regional and international developments and work on strengthening security and stability in the region. "

In the meantime, informed sources revealed the "morning" that Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari will travel next weekend to New York to finalize arrangements for the withdrawal of Iraq from Chapter VII.

The sources pointed out that he will be in the 27 of this month to vote by the Security Council on Iraq would emerge from Chapter VII to Chapter VI after the approval of Kuwait and ensure Russia's vote to approve it.

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Kuwaiti Premier Visits Iraq, Tightening Bonds

13 June, 2013

Kuwait's prime minister discussed ties with his Iraqi counterpart in Baghdad on Wednesday, signaling improving relations between neighbors still working to overcome the more than two-decade legacy of war.

The warming bonds between Shiite-led Iraq and Sunni-ruled Kuwait are noteworthy in a region increasingly plagued by the sectarian divisions running through Syria's civil war and Iraq, which is struggling to contain its worst eruption of violence in years.

Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki personally greeted Sheik Jaber Al Mubarak Al Sabah on a red carpet on the airport tarmac before the two men sat down for talks. Officials later signed a series of agreements aimed at improving bilateral ties in the economic, transportation and other sectors.

The leaders hailed the latest set of talks — one of several high-level meetings between the countries in recent years — as the start of a new chapter in their relationship.

"We got rid of a heavy burden and turned the page from the past toward broader relations in all fields," Sheik Jaber said in a statement issued by al-Maliki's office.

Iraq and Kuwait, a close U.S. ally in the oil-rich Persian Gulf, have been making progress in mending ties frayed by then-Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein's 1990 invasion of his southern neighbor, setting off the first Gulf War.

U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon welcomed "the growing momentum for the full normalization of bilateral relations between Iraq and Kuwait," U.N. deputy spokesman Eduardo del Buey said in New York.

Ban spoke to the Emir of Kuwait and al-Maliki before a meeting with ambassadors of the two countries Wednesday, del Buey said.

Officials on both sides expressed concern about the civil war ravaging Syria, where largely Sunni rebels are battling forces loyal to the Iran-backed regime of President Bashar Assad. The fight is drawing in foreign militants from Iraq and other countries on both sides of the conflict.

In response to questions about the civil war in Syria, Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari repeated Baghdad's stance that it does not condone the movement of any militants to Syria. He sought to make clear that Iraq — officially neutral in the conflict — was not choosing sides.

"We have contacts with both the regime and the opposition," he said. "The fighters' travels are happening without the knowledge of the government."

There are signs that the aftereffects of Iraq's 1990 invasion are receding.

Relations took a step forward last year when Kuwait's ruling emir traveled to Baghdad to attend an Arab League summit. He was the only leader from the Sunni-dominated Arab Gulf states — wary of Shiite powerhouse Iran — to attend the meeting.

Kuwait and Iraq last year reached a deal to settle a Saddam-era legal dispute that had long dogged Iraq's national airline and was a major sticking point between the countries. Kuwait's parliament earlier this year approved the accord, under which Baghdad will pay $500 million in compensation to Kuwait's national carrier for damages caused during the Iraqi occupation.

The disagreement centered on Kuwait's accusations that Saddam's regime stole 10 airplanes and millions of dollars' worth of equipment and spare parts during the invasion. Kuwait earlier demanded $1.2 billion in reparations, but Iraq's postwar leaders resisted.

In February, an Iraqi Airways flight landed in Kuwait for the first time since Saddam's invasion. Officials hope the ceremonial flight will lead to closer commercial ties.

Iraq continues to pay off billions of dollars of war reparations to Kuwait. It expects to complete those payments by 2015, according to Zebari.

Elsewhere in Iraq on Wednesday, gunmen killed provincial election candidate Luay Abdul-Wahid in a drive-by shooting in the restive northern city of Mosul, according to police and hospital officials. They spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to release the information to journalists.

Iraq held elections for provincial council candidates in much of the country in April, but authorities delayed voting in two Sunni dominated provinces, Anbar and Ninevah, citing security concerns. Mosul is the capital of Ninevah province. After Baghdad, it has been one of the hardest hit areas in terms of violence in recent months.

Iraq is weathering its worst wave of bloodshed in half a decade, with nearly 2,000 people killed since the beginning of April. The upsurge is reviving fears of a return to widespread sectarian fighting.

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