Iraq adopts ‘zero problems’ policy vis-à-vis Kuwait: PM

By Ibrahim Salih

BAGHDAD (AA) - Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul-Mahdi on Thursday said his government had adopted a “zero problems” policy in regards to Kuwait, according to a statement released by Abdul-Mahdi’s office.

The prime minister arrived in Kuwait late Wednesday for a one-day visit during which he has already met with Kuwaiti Emir Sabah al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah.

It is Abdul-Mahdi’s first visit to Kuwait since he assumed the premiership in October of last year.

“We are now focusing on resolving all outstanding problems between Iraq and Kuwait,” Abdul-Mahdi asserted in a Thursday press statement.

“We are working together to build a better future and deeper relations,” he said, adding that the two countries had already resolved “many issues”, especially in the construction and services sectors.

In a separate statement, the Kuwaiti emir said Kuwait and Iraq had been “victims of a regime that hurt the people of both countries” -- a reference to Iraq’s Saddam Hussein regime.

“We must pursue reconstruction efforts together and overcome our past animosities,” he added.

The emir went on to commend Abdul-Mahdi's policies, which, he said, had “contributed to the furtherance of Iraq's development and stability”, stressing Kuwait's readiness to contribute to Iraq’s reconstruction process.

*Writing by Mahmoud Barakat