The Kingdom of Bahrain and the State of Kuwait issued the following statement marking the official visit of His Highness Sheikh Mishal Al Ahmed Al Jaber Al Sabah, the Amir of the State of Kuwait to Bahrain.
“His Highness Sheikh Mishal Al Ahmed Al Jaber Al Sabah, the Amir of the State of Kuwait, paid an official visit to the Kingdom of Bahrain on February 13, 2024.
The visit, which is based on the solid deep-rooted fraternal relations between the two countries, aims to strengthen bilateral ties and strategic partnership.
His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa received HH Shaikh Mishal at the Al Sakhir Palace, where they held official talks. They discussed ways to bolster bilateral relations across various fields. They also recalled the important and constructive role played by the late HH Sheikh Nawaf Al Ahmed Al Jaber Al Sabah to ensure the continuous growth of bilateral ties.
HM the King conferred the Order of Sheikh Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa- Exceptional Class Collar, on HH Shaikh Mishal, in appreciation of HH’s efforts in bolstering bilateral relations.
HH the Amir of Kuwait wished the 33rd Arab Summit, set to be hosted by Bahrain on May 16, every success in enhancing joint Arab action, as well as in unifying Arab efforts to confront challenges, end conflicts and achieve peace, security and stability for Arab peoples.
The two leaders praised the growth of trade relations and bilateral investments between the two countries, stressing the importance of expanding bilateral cooperation and joint economic partnership, as well as achieving bilateral integration. They also expressed their determination to explore and develop new economic opportunities.
They also welcomed the efforts being made by Kuwaiti and Bahraini investors and companies to expand their business in the two countries and take advantage of the opportunities available in the mega projects taking place in all sectors.
They emphasised their keenness to enhance bilateral cooperation in all fields, praising the success of the joint security committee meeting held between the two countries in July 2023. They approved the outcomes of the meeting and gave directives to form executive work teams between the ministries of the interior of the two countries to develop strategic relations and partnerships, which will contribute to maintaining security and stability, as well as those of the region.
HM King Hamad and HH Sheikh Mishal also reviewed the progress of the joint Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), and its prominent achievements that meet the aspirations of GCC citizens for more integration, cooperation and complementarity. In this context, they stressed the importance of maintaining the cohesion, solidarity and unity of the GCC states, as well as intensifying efforts to complete the components of economic unity and the joint defence and security systems, in a way that would guarantee GCC states’ stability, enhance their regional and international role, and achieve the bloc’s lofty goals.
HM King Hamad and HH Sheikh Mishal also discussed regional developments and their implications on intra-Arab relations, as well as on regional security and stability. They also underlined the importance of Iraq’s respect for Kuwait’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as commitment to bilateral and international pledges and agreements, in addition to all the relevant UN resolutions, especially UN Security Council’s Resolution 833/1993, under which the Kuwaiti-Iraqi land and sea borders were demarcated. They also stressed the importance of completing the demarcation of the maritime borders between the two countries beyond maritime Mark 162.
The two sides also urged Iraq to adhere to the agreement regulating navigation through the Khor Abdullah waterway, which was signed by Kuwait and Iraq on April 29, 2012, and came into effect on December 5, 2013, following its ratification by both countries. It was jointly deposited with the UN on December 18, 2013. They also rejected Iraq’s unilateral annulment of the security exchange protocol signed in 2008, along with the map approved in the joint plan, aimed at maintaining the security and safety of navigation in Khor Abdullah. The agreement and plan included a clear and specific procedure for amendment and cancellation.
The two leaders also reiterated their support for the UN Security Council Resolution 2107 of 2013, which requests the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Assistance Mission to Iraq (UNAMI) to facilitate and assist in the repatriation or return of all Kuwaiti and third-country nationals, or their remains, and the return of Kuwaiti property, including the national archives. The resolution further calls upon the UN Secretary-General to report to the Security Council on the progress made in fulfilling UNAMI’s responsibilities, as stated in paragraph 4 of the resolution. They urged Iraq and the UN to exert every effort to reach a final solution to all unresolved issues and files.
HM King Hamad and HH Sheikh Mishal asserted that the Al-Durra field is located in Kuwait’s marine areas, adding that the ownership of the natural resources in the submerged area adjacent to the Kuwaiti-Saudi divided zone, including the entire Al Durra field, which is jointly owned by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the State of Kuwait only, and they alone have full rights to exploit the wealth in that area, as per the provisions of international law and based on the agreements concluded and in force between them. They also expressed their categorical rejection of any claims that any other party has rights in this field or the submerged area adjacent to the area divided by its designated borders between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the State of Kuwait.
Regarding regional issues, the two leaders discussed the current developments in Palestine and the occupied Arab territories. They expressed their deep concern over the humanitarian catastrophe in the Gaza Strip, and the brutal war there which claimed the lives of tens of thousands of unarmed civilians, including children, women and the elderly. They also expressed concern over the destruction of vital facilities, places of worship, infrastructure, and the headquarters of international organisations, due to the blatant attacks by Israel, the occupying power.
The two sides urged the international community, especially the UN Security Council, to assume its responsibilities and stop military operations in the Palestinian territories and protect civilians in accordance with international law and international humanitarian law. They called for exerting 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.
HM the King and HH the Amir of Kuwait called for the need to enable international humanitarian organisations, including UN agencies, to undertake their tasks effectively in providing humanitarian and relief aid to the Palestinian people.
They emphasised their unrelenting resolve to continue humanitarian efforts aimed at providing relief aid to alleviate the suffering of the brotherly Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip, calling on the international community to support the efforts of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) and enable it to perform its humanitarian tasks, affirming, in this regard, the important humanitarian and vital role played by the UNRWA in providing services and meeting the basic needs of approximately 5.7 million Palestinian refugees.
The two leaders stressed the need to intensify efforts to reach a comprehensive and just settlement to the Palestinian issue in accordance with the principle of the two-state solution, as stated in the Arab Peace Initiative, and the relevant international legitimacy resolutions, in a way that would guarantee the Palestinian people’s right to establish their independent state on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital.
The two sides stressed the importance of reaching a comprehensive political solution to the Yemeni crisis in accordance with the three terms of reference, the GCC Initiative and its implementation mechanism, the outcomes of the Comprehensive National Dialogue, and the UN Security Council resolutions, including Resolution 2216, expressing full support for the international and regional efforts made by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Sultanate of Oman to end the Yemeni crisis in a way that would achieve the aspirations of the Yemeni people for peace, stability and development.
Concerning navigation in the Red Sea, the two sides stressed the importance of maintaining the security and stability of the Red Sea region, as well as respecting the right to maritime navigation in it in accordance with the provisions of international law and the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea of 1982 in order to preserve the freedom of international trade and the interests of the entire world.
HH Sheikh Mishal expressed thanks and appreciation to HM King Hamad for the warm welcome and hospitality.
HM King Hamad wished HH Sheikh Mishal abundant health and wellness, as well as more progress and prosperity to the Kuwaiti people, under his leadership.”
BNA(R)
