Kuwait FM welcomes "historic flight" by Iraqi Airways

(With POL-KUWAIT-IRAQ-FLIGHT) KUWAIT, Feb 28 (KUNA) -- Kuwait's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Khalid Al-Hamad Al-Sabah on Wednesday hailed the "historic" flight of an Iraqi Airways plane that landed at Kuwait International Airport earlier today.
This is the first such flight by the airline after 22-year hiatus; it represents a significant milestone in the bilateral ties between the two sisterly countries," he said.
Sheikh Sabah made the remarks at a joint press conference here with visiting Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari and Transport Minister Hadi Al-Amri.
"The historic flight culminates strenuous efforts made by the two neighborly countries to strengthen the bilateral relations," he pointed out.
After reaching a final agreement with the Iraqi side last November to settle the prolonged dispute between Kuwait Airways Corporation (KAC) and Iraqi Airways, the Kuwaiti government adopted a decree giving the green light to the deal. The decree was later approved by the National Assembly, thus completing the constitutional procedures, he reminded.
Sheikh Sabah added that he discussed with the Iraqi ministerial delegation a range of issues and the results of the talks will give a strong impetus to the bilateral ties.
The two countries are set to reap the fruits of the joint efforts made over the last year thanks to the top-level exchange of visits.
Dealing with the issue of Mubarak Harbor development project, he said: "We took stock of the fact that the brothers in Iraq are developing Al-Faw Seaport. So we are keen that there will be no conflict of interests." "The development of the two harbors drew praise from the international consultancy agencies," he said, noting that the two countries are keen on cooperation in all domains.
It's in Kuwait's interest to help Iraq get rid of the sanctions imposed by the UN Security Council under Chapter VII of the UN Charter, Sheikh Sabah said, adding that both sides continue working for settling the issue of the Kuwaiti detainees and missed in action dating back to early the 1990s.
On his part, Zebari said the flight of Iraqi Airways is of great significance as it meets the aspirations of the two peoples.
"The current visit of the Iraqi delegation to Kuwait aims to send a message of amity and fraternity to the Kuwaiti people. We look forward to creating a bright and prosperous future for both peoples," he added.
Al-Amri said the KAC-Iraqi Airways dossier was one of the most thorniest and most complicated disputes that hindered the development of the bilateral ties for two decades.
"As we were able to iron out this issue, we turn over a new leaf in the history of the relationship and proceed to other issues such as the management of maritime navigation," the minister of transport added.
Al-Amri expressed the desire of the Iraqi government to build even stronger relationship with Kuwait through cordial talks and constructive dialogue. (end) sss.fnk.abd.gb KUNA 272144 Feb 13NNNN