BAGHDAD: Iraq is keen to establish strong relations with Kuwait, based on the brotherly ties and historical relationships between the two peoples, Iraqi President Barham Salih said Sunday. A statement issued by the Iraqi Presidency quoted Salih as saying, during his meeting with Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Sheikh Dr Ahmad Nasser Al-Mohammad Al-Sabah that the two countries took advanced steps in joint cooperation and collaboration. The Iraqi President also stressed the importance of economic cooperation between the two countries, considering that political and economic crises, as well as the spread of the coronavirus pandemic, require joint coordination in order to consolidate the pillars of stability and peace and achieve both peoples’ prosperity. According to the statement, the Kuwaiti Foreign Minister conveyed to the Iraqi President an invitation from His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah to visit Kuwait.

Sheikh Dr Ahmad visited Iraq on Sunday, representing His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah. During the meeting with the Iraqi President, Sheikh Dr Ahmad conveyed greetings from the Kuwaiti leadership and people, and discussed with him issues related to bilateral ties. He also reflected Kuwait’s supportive stance towards the stability and progress of the fellow Arab country. The Iraqi President, meanwhile, conveyed similar sentiments towards the Kuwaiti leadership and people during his meeting with the Kuwaiti Foreign Minister.

Earlier on Sunday, Sheikh Dr Ahmad delivered a letter from His Highness the Amir to Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kadhimi. The letter is related to close relations between both countries, ways of promoting and developing them in various domains and several issues of mutual concern. The Kuwaiti foreign minister handed the letter as he was welcomed by the Iraqi prime minister during his official visit to the Iraqi capital of Baghdad.

Furthermore, the Kuwaiti official held another meeting with Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein. The meeting touched on ways to bolster relations and also focused on recent regional and international developments namely the ones connected with the global fight against the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Sheikh Dr Ahmad Nasser Al-Mohammad also met with Iraqi Parliament Speaker Mohammad Al-Halbousi. The two officials discussed ways of further boosting bilateral relations and cooperation in different domains to serve best interest of the two countries and their people. — KUNA