Iraq’s Federal Supreme Court has declared the ratification of the maritime navigation agreement with Kuwait unconstitutional. This decision, issued on Monday, has far-reaching implications for the navigation in Khor Abdullah, an estuary located in southern Iraq and northern Kuwait.
The court’s ruling stems from its interpretation of the Iraqi constitution, which mandates that the ratification of international treaties and agreements must be governed by a law passed with a two-thirds majority in the Iraqi Parliament.
This constitutional requirement was not met in the case of the maritime agreement in question.
Khor Abdullah, which forms a vital waterway for both nations, has been a subject of contention for many years. While the border between Iraq and Kuwait divides the lower part of the estuary, the area around the port of Umm Qasr is entirely within Iraqi territory.
Notably, Iraq’s Foreign Minister, Fuad Hussein, held discussions with his Kuwaiti counterpart, Salem Al-Sabah, in Baghdad last July.
During their meeting, both ministers emphasized the importance of resolving border disputes and reaching a conclusive agreement regarding the demarcation of their land boundaries, including the contested maritime region in the Arabian Gulf.
This development is seen by experts as a significant step towards addressing the long-standing issues that have persisted since Saddam Hussein’s invasion of Kuwait in 1990. It reflects both countries’ commitment to finding peaceful solutions and improving relations in the region.
