UN welcomes Iraq’s delivery of properties, national archives to Kuwait
Representational photo
Baghdad (IraqiNews.com) – The UN praised on Tuesday a positive step taken by Iraq to deliver part of Kuwaiti properties and national archives to the Kuwait authorities.
“This is an encouraging positive step taken by the Iraqi authorities in compliance with UN Security Council resolution 2107 (2013). It shows the determination of both countries to forge ahead with strengthening bilateral ties, putting behind them the bitter legacy of invasion and violence, and demonstrates the best of good neighbourly relations,” Deputy Special Representative for Iraq of the United Nations Secretary-General Alice Walpole said.
She added that despite strong support demonstrated by Kuwait, and commitment to their international and humanitarian obligation shown by Iraq, full normalization of relations will only take place once all outstanding issues have been resolved.
Preparations for the transfer of the Kuwaiti textbooks and other items have taken over a year. Iraqi Minister of Foreign Affairs Mohammed Al-Hakim has made exceptional efforts to ensure swift action on this important and complex issue with Kuwait since taking office a few weeks ago.
Iraq invaded Kuwait in 1990 and occupied the Gulf country for seven months before being ejected by an international coalition. During the occupation, Iraqi forces killed many Kuwaiti people and arrested hundreds others.
Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah and his deputy Khaled Al-Jarallah always call upon Iraqi officials they meet to double efforts to unveil the fate of 369 Kuwaiti people missing in Iraq, Nasser Al-Hayyen, Assistant Foreign Minister for International Organizations, said earlier in statements to KUNA.
The Iraqi authorities had handed over in the past some properties found in Iraq, said Al-Hayyen who commended the authorities in Baghdad for their cooperation.