Kuwait reiterates backing to Iraq's security, prosperity

Kuwait's First Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah reaffirmed here on Sunday his country's support for Iraq's efforts to restore security and stability.
Speaking during the fourth meeting of the joint Kuwaiti-Iraqi committee, held here today, Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled said: "Based on the principles of brotherliness and values of neighborliness, we'd like to reiterate ultimate support for Iraq's efforts to build a safer and more stable present and a more prosperous tomorrow." "We are confident that the present dark clouds would vanish soon, and that under the extraordinary circumstances facing Iraq while seeking to establish security, democracy and freedom in face of forces of delusion and intellectual backwardness designed to impede Iraq's recent pivotal and significant watershed, everybody should fully interact and take necessary measures to combat such brutal attacks," he said.
Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled also stressed Kuwait's commitment to UNSC resolutions 2170 and 2178 regarding the fight against terrorism, while welcoming the regional and international role played by Iraq at present to fight terrorist organizations in spite of all obstacles it is facing.
Thanking Iraq for warm welcome and hospitality, he spoke highly of its involvement in regional and international meetings and gatherings in this regard.
He called for more efforts to monitor the implementation of the outcomes of the joint committee meetings, including 43 previously signed agreements and memos of understanding, together with agreements to be inked today.
The Kuwaiti foreign minister cited intensive mutual visits between Kuwaiti and Iraqi officials as a clear-cut sign of mutual willingness to promote and upgrade close relations to fresh horizons.
The fact that two-way trade exchange hit USD 2.5 billion last year and the number of mutual direct flights has gone up since they were resumed over a couple of years ago reflects both nations' desire to upgrade "distinguished" relations based on brotherliness and mutual interest to the level of strategic partnership in all fields, he added.