17 February, 2011
Maliki seeks to boost relations with Kuwait
Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Al-Maliki arrived in Kuwait yesterday for a one-day official visit to focus on boosting economic and political ties between the two Arab neighbours. Maliki also met HH the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah and held official talks with his counterpart HH Sheikh Nasser Mohammad Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah.
Ahead of the visit Kuwait's State Minister for Cabinet Affairs Roudhan Al-Roudhan said talks will discuss ways of boosting "economic and trade ties and other issues of concern between the two countries".
The visit is Maliki's first to Kuwait after his re-election to the post and after a Kuwaiti premier ground-breaking trip to Baghdad in January, the first by a Kuwaiti premier since the Iraqi troops invaded the state in 1990. The two Arab nations still have a number of outstanding issues related to the Iraqi occupation to resolve including multi-billion-dollar war reparations, debt and demarcation of land and maritime borders. Iraq still owes Kuwait more than $20 billion in compensation for Saddam Hussein's invasion of the emirate and Baghdad has repeatedly called for a solution to this issue. Kuwait has also demanded the return of its stolen property and remains of hundreds of citizens who went missing during the Iraqi occupation.
Speaking with editors-in-chief of Kuwaiti newspapers and Kuwaiti businessmen, Maliki hoped to turn a new page of warm ties between both countries. He promised to tackle all unresolved matters including the debt issue and urged mutual will from both sides to solve these issues. "We are facing a new transparent and brotherly relationship," he said. Maliki described what happened in the past during Saddam Hussein's regime as "shameful".
"When a dictator rules, he attacks his own people, so it is natural of him to attack others." He added that "the tragedy had ended and now both countries are before a new partnership and it should be on all levels as the path is now paved for such ties". Maliki sympathized with the Kuwaitis who lost their lives during the invasion, adding that scores of Iraqis were also killed during Saddam's regime. "It was a hard time but it gave us immunity to face future challenges," he said.
Maliki invited Kuwaiti entrepreneurs to invest in Iraq as the country is witnessing a rise in construction, real estate, and investments. He wished the best for Kuwait and its people on the occasion of the national holidays, especially on the 20th anniversary of liberation from the Iraqi regime. He had another meeting with the members of the Iraqi community in Kuwait and promised to listen to their problems, especially over passports and services.
Maliki called upon Iraqis living in Kuwait to show respect to the host country and promised to work with the Kuwaiti government to solve the problems they are facing. He stated that Iraq stood the and faced the black era and all the challenges to rebuilt the country as the current government is working on rebuilding the state in terms of services, government institutions and infrastructure.
http://www.kuwaittimes.net/read_news.php?newsid=MTEwMTkzNDAyMw==
Maliki seeks to boost relations with Kuwait
Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Al-Maliki arrived in Kuwait yesterday for a one-day official visit to focus on boosting economic and political ties between the two Arab neighbours. Maliki also met HH the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah and held official talks with his counterpart HH Sheikh Nasser Mohammad Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah.
Ahead of the visit Kuwait's State Minister for Cabinet Affairs Roudhan Al-Roudhan said talks will discuss ways of boosting "economic and trade ties and other issues of concern between the two countries".
The visit is Maliki's first to Kuwait after his re-election to the post and after a Kuwaiti premier ground-breaking trip to Baghdad in January, the first by a Kuwaiti premier since the Iraqi troops invaded the state in 1990. The two Arab nations still have a number of outstanding issues related to the Iraqi occupation to resolve including multi-billion-dollar war reparations, debt and demarcation of land and maritime borders. Iraq still owes Kuwait more than $20 billion in compensation for Saddam Hussein's invasion of the emirate and Baghdad has repeatedly called for a solution to this issue. Kuwait has also demanded the return of its stolen property and remains of hundreds of citizens who went missing during the Iraqi occupation.
Speaking with editors-in-chief of Kuwaiti newspapers and Kuwaiti businessmen, Maliki hoped to turn a new page of warm ties between both countries. He promised to tackle all unresolved matters including the debt issue and urged mutual will from both sides to solve these issues. "We are facing a new transparent and brotherly relationship," he said. Maliki described what happened in the past during Saddam Hussein's regime as "shameful".
"When a dictator rules, he attacks his own people, so it is natural of him to attack others." He added that "the tragedy had ended and now both countries are before a new partnership and it should be on all levels as the path is now paved for such ties". Maliki sympathized with the Kuwaitis who lost their lives during the invasion, adding that scores of Iraqis were also killed during Saddam's regime. "It was a hard time but it gave us immunity to face future challenges," he said.
Maliki invited Kuwaiti entrepreneurs to invest in Iraq as the country is witnessing a rise in construction, real estate, and investments. He wished the best for Kuwait and its people on the occasion of the national holidays, especially on the 20th anniversary of liberation from the Iraqi regime. He had another meeting with the members of the Iraqi community in Kuwait and promised to listen to their problems, especially over passports and services.
Maliki called upon Iraqis living in Kuwait to show respect to the host country and promised to work with the Kuwaiti government to solve the problems they are facing. He stated that Iraq stood the and faced the black era and all the challenges to rebuilt the country as the current government is working on rebuilding the state in terms of services, government institutions and infrastructure.
http://www.kuwaittimes.net/read_news.php?newsid=MTEwMTkzNDAyMw==
