Baghdad — Iraq’s Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani has expressed his country’s commitment to resolving the dispute with Kuwait over maritime navigation in the Khor Abdullah waterway.
In a statement from the prime minister’s media office, Iraq emphasized its desire for a solution that aligns with its constitution and international law while respecting Kuwait’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
During a meeting with the state’s administration coalition, Al-Sudani highlighted the importance of resolving the crisis through understanding and rationality rather than emotional and provocative statements that only exacerbate tensions. Iraq reiterated its commitment to all bilateral agreements with countries and the resolutions of the United Nations Security Council.
This development comes after Iraq’s Federal Supreme Court ruled that a bilateral agreement regulating navigation in the Khor Abdullah waterway was unconstitutional. The court determined that the law ratifying the accord should have received approval from two-thirds of the parliament.
The demarcation of the shared land border between Iraq and Kuwait was established by the United Nations in 1993 following Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait. However, the maritime boundaries were not fully addressed, leaving it to the two nations to resolve.
In 2012, Iraq and Kuwait reached a maritime border agreement, which was subsequently ratified by their respective legislative bodies in 2013. However, the recent court ruling has brought the issue back to the forefront.
Kuwait’s Prime Minister reacted to the Iraqi court ruling by describing it as containing “historical fallacies” and called on Iraq to take concrete, decisive, and urgent measures to address the situation.
The resolution of this dispute is essential for maintaining stability and fostering positive bilateral relations between Iraq and Kuwait. Both countries will need to engage in diplomatic dialogue and seek a mutually acceptable solution that upholds the principles of international law and respects the interests of both nations.
