Iraq's Prime Minister Says Baghdad Adopting 'Zero Problems' Policy Toward Kuwait

Iraqi Prime Minister Adil Abdul-Mahdi said on Thursday that Baghdad would be adopting a "zero problems" policy in regard to Kuwait, its southeastern neighbor with whom Iraq has had a difficult relationship since the 1950s

MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 23rd May, 2019) Iraqi Prime Minister Adil Abdul-Mahdi said on Thursday that Baghdad would be adopting a "zero problems" policy in regard to Kuwait, its southeastern neighbor with whom Iraq has had a difficult relationship since the 1950s.

Mahdi arrived in Kuwait on Wednesday, accompanied by a delegation of his ministers, and held talks with Kuwaiti Prime Minister Jaber Mubarak Hamad Sabah.

"We are now focusing on resolving all outstanding problems between Iraq and Kuwait," Abdul-Mahdi said as quoted by the Anadolu news outlet.

He added that the two countries had already resolved many issues, especially in the construction and services sectors, and said both Iraq and Kuwait were working together to build a better future and to deepen bilateral relations.

According to Kuwait News Agency, Sabah said on Thursday that the meeting signaled a new era of openness between the two countries.

Iraq's relationship with Kuwait has been soured due to owing its southern neighbor over $14 billion in reparations after Baghdad invaded Kuwait in 1991 during the Gulf War and destroyed its oilfields and infrastructure.