Kuwait's response to Iraq "exemplary" - MEP

BRUSSELS, July 1 (KUNA) -- The response of Kuwait towards Iraq until today has been "exemplary", said Hannah Neumann, Member of the European Parliament (MEP) on Thursday.
"With the country (Kuwait) not only supporting Iraq financially but coordinating with the EU and also helping through diplomatic channels," the German MEP said while addressing a webinar hosted by the European Parliament (EP) urging for closer cooperation and deeper relations between the six-member Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and Iraq.
Neumann praised the late Amir of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah for his efforts in defusing regional tensions and in compromising conflicting parties.
"This shows that goodwill and common interest allows countries that have been enemies to turn a page and work in the interest of citizens and future generations." The EP's Delegation for relations with Iraq and the Delegation for relations with the Arab Peninsula (DARP) had organised the webinar on "the Iraq-GCC relations, in addition to current state of affairs and what the future holds.
Naumann noted that last week she received the Kuwait's Parliament Speaker Marzouq Al-Ghanim in Brussels, saying it was very good to have a face-to-face meeting, hoping that by the end of the year, DARP would be able to visit Kuwait.
"Our meeting focused on how to enhance the cooperation between the EP and Kuwait as well as EP with the GCC as well as regional issues such as Palestine and Iran and the geo-political situation in the Gulf region," she said.
"All GCC countries attach great importance to relations with Iraq and they share a common language and common culture and common history," Naumann, who is chair of DARP, said in her introductory remarks.
She said that "they are natural economic and trading partners and share the same strategic goals in the region." Referring to the "Al Ula Declaration" in Saudi Arabia last January, Neumann said that "this represents an important step towards the objective of a more stable Middle East and a more cohesive GCC," adding it was a sign of hope for Iraq." She welcomed the recent decision by Riyadh and Abu Dhabi to reinforce economic relations with Iraq and open investment lines for Baghdad, citing the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait in 1990, which she said demonstrated the "political moderation of Kuwait." On his part, Kuwait's Ambassador to Belgium, EU and NATO Jassem Al-Budaiwi told the webinar "Iraq needs to be supported, Iraq needs to be lifted up and given all kinds of support.
"Kuwait and Iraq have a strong and special relationship, which is governed by a UN committee," he said, adding that ties have "so many wonderful aspects." He called for continuous dialogue between Iraq and the GCC countries to boost relations and urged Europe to continue supporting Iraq in particular during the upcoming elections in October.
Domenec Ruiz Devesa, vice chair of EP delegation for relations with Iraq said "GCC are natural economic and political partners of Iraq. There is a base for stronger ties and common interest." He praised the recent steps taken by Iraq in promoting understanding and relations between Saudi Arabia and Iran and also commended Kuwait for hosting a conference on reconstruction of Iraq in 2018.
Guest speaker Christian Koch, project director with the Gulf Research Center Foundation, in his presentation noted that the tenor of the GCC-Iraq relationship has shifted in recent years, with the GCC launching a Comprehensive Strategic Dialogue with Iraq in 2019 that laid out a five-year, three-pronged engagement effort at the political, security trade and investment, and people-to-people levels.
The visit of Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kathemi to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates at the end of March and beginning of April 2021 similarly underscored intentions on both sides to open a new chapter in bilateral relations, he said.
Alongside the EU, GCC states are major providers of development and humanitarian aid to Iraq and should be engaged on reconstruction efforts inside Iraq as part of a wider donor coordination strategy, he said.
Koch proposed that as the energy sector is key in Iraq, and especially in this region, linking Iraq to larger GCC electricity grids could be further pursued.
For Iraq to take a positive turn in its development and reconstruction ties with the GCC are fundamental he said, calling on EU to play a more active role to establish security in Iraq.
Nizar Al-Khairallah, Senior Undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Iraq, told the webinar that in recent years Iraq has taken steps for strategic normalisation of ties and cooperation with GCC countries.
Al-Khairallah, who is accompanying the Iraqi prime minister on his current visit to Brussels, urged expansion of bilateral cooperation in all sectors, including trade, investment and culture.
"There is a lot of work to be done and we are willing to develop these kind of relations. It is important that in order to create regional security; dialogue is essential. We need to sit with each other. We need to talk with each other to build trust," he stressed.
"Stability of Iraq is really important for the Gulf States and security in the Gulf is important for Iraq," he stressed.
He said that Baghdad wants to contribute positively to regional security and referred to Iraq's recent role in bringing Saudis and Iranians together.
Ambassador of Saudi Arabia to the EU, Saad Al-Arify, in his input urged Europe to play an active role to help stabilisation of Iraq.
"Iraq is a great neighbour of our region and an important country to the GCC. We have very very good ties with Iraq," stressed the Saudi ambassador, noting that the Kingdom is engaged in promoting the development and stability of Iraq. (end) nk.nam