Doha, February 20 (QNA) - The State of Qatar and the State of Kuwait issued today a joint statement on the occasion of the visit of HH Amir of the sisterly State of Kuwait Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah to Doha.
The statement said that based on the established historical ties and strong fraternal relations between the leaderships of the State of Qatar and the State of Kuwait and their brotherly peoples, and to further strengthen bilateral relations and the strategic partnership between them, HH Amir of the sisterly State of Kuwait Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah paid a state visit to the State of Qatar on February 20, 2024.
HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, and his brother, HH Amir of the State of Kuwait Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah held a session of official talks at the Amiri Diwan during which they discussed bilateral relations between the two brotherly countries and ways to further develop them in all fields, recalling the important and constructive role played by HH the late Amir of Kuwait Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and his efforts in this field.
HH Amir of the State of Kuwait Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah also congratulated his brother, HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani on the State of Qatars assumption of the presidency of the 44th session of the Supreme Council of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf. HH Amir of the State of Kuwait renewed congratulations on the occasion of the Qatar national team's victory in the 2023 Asian Football Cup that was held in Doha recently.
HH Amir of the State of Kuwait also praised the positive reactions to the Horticultural Doha 2023 Expo, and the Qatari efforts that contributed to achieving its desired goals which will benefit the region and the world as a whole, wishing the State of Qatar every success in hosting regional and international events. HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani appreciated the constant support of the Government of the State of Kuwait to the success of the activities and events hosted by the State of Qatar.
The two sides praised the growth of trade relations and bilateral investments between the two countries as the volume of trade exchange between the State of Qatar and the State of Kuwait until October 2023 reached $1.94 billion. They stressed the importance of expanding the horizons of cooperation and economic partnership between them, achieving integration between the opportunities available in both countries, and exploring and developing economic opportunities in light of Qatar Vision 2030 and Kuwait Vision 2035.
The two sides welcomed Qatari and Kuwaiti investors and companies' expansion of their business in the two countries and taking advantage of the opportunities available in the giant projects in all sectors.
The two sides also expressed their aspiration to the convening of the 6th session of the Qatar-Kuwait Joint Higher Cooperation Committee scheduled to be held this year in Doha, and to working on implementing the agreements, memorandums of understanding and joint programs that were agreed upon.
The two sides noted the close cooperation between them in political, military, security, economic, cultural, scientific and sports fields, and other areas of joint cooperation.
On the defense and security side, the two sides affirmed their keenness to strengthen defense cooperation in all fields and develop strategic relations and partnerships to protect the security and stability of the two countries and the region. They praised the level of security cooperation and coordination existing between the two countries and stressed their desire to enhance cooperation in topics of common interest, including: combating crimes in all its forms, combating drugs, border security, combating extremism, hate speech and terrorism, and spreading a culture of moderation and tolerance in order to achieve security and stability in the two brotherly countries.
The two sides discussed the progress of joint GCC cooperation and the outstanding achievements to meet the aspirations of the citizens of the GCC countries towards greater interconnection, cooperation and integration. They stressed the importance of maintaining the cohesion, solidarity and unity of the GCC countries and intensifying efforts to complete the components of economic unity and the joint defense and security systems, in a way that guarantees the stability of the countries of the Council, strengthens its regional and international role, and achieves the lofty goals of this blessed system.
The two sides discussed the latest regional developments and their repercussions on inter-Arab relations, regional security and stability, and stressed the importance of the Republic of Iraq's respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the State of Kuwait and adherence to bilateral and international pledges and agreements and all relevant United Nations resolutions, especially Security Council Resolution No. 833 (1993) on the demarcation of the land and sea borders between the State of Kuwait and the Republic of Iraq, and the importance of completing the demarcation of the maritime borders between the two countries beyond maritime mark 162.
The two sides also stressed the importance of Iraq's commitment to the agreement regulating maritime navigation in the Khor Abdullah waterway. The agreement was signed between the State of Kuwait and the Republic of Iraq on April 29, 2012, before being ratified by both countries to take effect on Dec. 5, 2013, and jointly deposited with the United Nations on Dec. 18. 2013. Both sides rejected Iraq's unilateral cancellation of the 2008 security swap protocol and its map approved in the joint plan to ensure the safety of navigation in Khor Abdullah signed between the two sides on Dec. 28, 2014, which included a clear and specific mechanism for amendment and cancellation. The two countries also renewed support for Security Council Resolution No. 2,107 (2013), which requests the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) to strengthen, support, and facilitate efforts related to searching for missing Kuwaitis and third-country nationals and determining their fate or returning their remains within the framework of the Tripartite Commission and the sub-technical committee emanating from it, under the auspices of the International Committee of the Red Cross, and returning the Kuwaiti property, including the national archives. They stressed the importance of the Security Council's continued follow-up of the missing Kuwaitis and third-country nationals and the missing Kuwaiti property, including the National Archives, through the continued preparation of periodic reports submitted by the UN Secretary-General on the latest developments in the two issues, and the UNAMI efforts in this regard, pursuant to paragraph 4 of Security Council resolution 2107 (2013). They called on Iraq and the UN to make every effort to reach a final solution for all these suspended issues. The two sides also stressed that the Durra field is entirely located within the State of Kuwait's marine borders and that the natural resources in the submerged area adjacent to the Kuwaiti-Saudi divided zone, including the entire Durra field, are jointly owned by the State of Kuwait and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in accordance with the provisions of international law and based on the agreements concluded and currently in force between the two countries, and that no third other party has rights to these resources. With regard to regional affairs, the two sides discussed the latest developments in Palestine and the occupied Arab territories, and expressed their deep concern over the humanitarian catastrophe in the Gaza Strip, and the brutal war that claimed thousands of defenseless civilians, including children, women and the elderly, and destroyed vital facilities, places of worship and infrastructure as a result of the blatant attacks by Israel, the occupying power. The two countries stressed the need for the international community, especially the Security Council, to assume its responsibilities to stop military operations in the Palestinian territories and protect civilians in accordance with international law and international humanitarian law, and called for pressure on Israel, the occupying power, to stop its aggression and prevent attempts to impose forced displacement on Palestinians from the Gaza Strip, which is a flagrant violation of international humanitarian law and international laws.