Iraq’s National Security Advisor, Qasim Al-Araji, has officially confirmed Iraq’s unwavering commitment to respecting Kuwait’s sovereignty. This declaration comes as a reassuring sign of regional stability and cooperation.
Al-Araji’s affirmation was made during a crucial meeting with Kuwait’s deputy chief of mission, Fahad Al-Fadhli. The confirmation was relayed through an official statement released by Al-Araji on X, a prominent social media platform.
The discussions between the two diplomats revolved around strategies to bolster bilateral relations and address shared concerns. Al-Araji emphasized that the recent meeting between Iraq’s Prime Minister, Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani, and his Kuwaiti counterpart, Sheikh Ahmed Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, in New York, exemplifies Iraq’s positive approach toward Kuwait.
This diplomatic development follows a recent ruling by Iraq’s Federal Supreme Court, which nullified the ratification of a maritime navigation agreement with Kuwait. The court’s decision stemmed from concerns over the constitutionality of the agreement governing navigation in Khor Abdullah, an estuary located in southern Iraq and northern Kuwait.
The Federal Supreme Court clarified its stance in a statement, highlighting that, according to Iraq’s constitution, the ratification of international treaties and agreements requires the enactment of a law passed by a two-thirds majority in the Iraqi Parliament, as reported by the Iraqi News Agency (INA).
Khor Abdullah holds strategic significance due to its location and the shared interests of Iraq and Kuwait in regulating maritime navigation in the area. The agreement in question was originally forged in 2012 and subsequently confirmed by the legislative bodies of both nations in 2013.
The delineation of marine borders between Iraq and Kuwait was left for both countries to determine following the United Nations’ demarcation of their land border in 1993, a pivotal moment in the aftermath of Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait. This affirmation of Kuwait’s sovereignty by Iraq serves to strengthen ties between these neighboring nations and contributes to regional stability.
