A+ A-

Iraq's PM describes Iraqi-Kuwaiti ties as "distinguished, exemplary"

Iraqi Prime Minister Dr. Haidar Al-Abadi during a meeting with a delegation of Kuwaiti journalists
Iraqi Prime Minister Dr. Haidar Al-Abadi during a meeting with a delegation of Kuwaiti journalists

By Mubarak Al-Enezi

BAGHDAD, Aug 23 (KUNA) -- Iraqi Prime Minister Dr. Haidar Al-Abadi has reiterated the deep-rooted Iraqi-Kuwaiti relations describing them as "distinguished and exemplary", expressing his pride in these relations.
Al-Abadi said during a meeting Monday night with a delegation of Kuwaiti journalists which is on a visit to the Iraqi capital that relations between the two countries have moved from the status of litigation because of the former regime's policy to understanding, harmony and fraternal relations between the two neighboring countries and "our government looks forward for further cooperation".
He said the vision of the Iraqi government lies in that the region can not be developed without cooperation and overcoming the divisions of the past and "we ought to solve these problems and work on developing our relations in other areas of cooperation and to keep the small differences aside".
"We look at our differences with Kuwait through the framework of brotherhood and cooperation", adding that resolving many of the disputes are hindered by the slow red tape in state institutions.
He said that Iraq had gone through a transitional stage after the collapse of the state in 2003 and now it is exposed to abnormal terrorist attacks from gangs boasted of killing and terrorizing citizens and are fed by sectarian polirizations, adding that "we are achieving victories over them and are able to liberate our lands from them".
Al-Abadi pointed out that the so-called Islamic State or (Daesh) is a threat posed against all countries in the world, so the help of the international community is needed in order to eliminate such a threat.
He said many of those who are fighting with terrorist groups in Iraq came from abroad, "and we are now indulged in fierce fighting with terror and we are closer to achieving the final victory through Mosul and the Syrian border operations".
The premier said that "with Syria, we want to deal with state institutions rather than armed groups to control the borders", pointing out that any partition of Syria is a serious matter and "it will be a tragedy and another challenge for us".
He said the real problem in the liberation of Mosul process is the humanitarian aspect due to the population density, a matter that makes it a difficult task for the Iraqi army to carry out its humanitarian mission.
He said he was optimistic for the next stage, and such optimism lies in cooperation and coordination with each other in order to maintain mutual interests.
Al-Abadi pointed out that Iraq has a very big border with Iran, "and we have interests with it and we are not prepared to enter any war since the War destroys people and infrastructure".
On the issue of foreign control of the Iraqi decision from outside, the premier said that there is no state that is immune from outside influence, noting that each country has interests beyond its borders and "we try to maintain these interests to our advantage".
The Kuwaiti delegation included President of the Kuwait Journalists Association Adnan Al-Rashid, Deputy Director General for Editorial Sector and Editor-in-Chief of Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) Saad Al-Ali and head of local department in Kuwaiti daily Al-Qabas Ibrahim Al-Saidi.
Also was present was Kuwait's Ambassador to Iraq Ghassan Al-Zawawi and other diplomats.(end).
mdm.tg