Key issues include border demarcation and freezing the assets of corrupt officials: Iraqi Foreign Minister discusses “hot” files in Kuwait
Key issues include border demarcation and freezing the assets of corrupt officials: Iraqi Foreign Minister discusses “hot” files in Kuwait
2026-07-09
Shafaq News – Baghdad
A government source revealed on Thursday the most important issues discussed by Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein during his visit to Kuwait, including freezing funds deposited in Kuwaiti banks belonging to some detainees under anti-corruption procedures.
The source explained to Shafaq News Agency that “the Iraqi government is keen to enhance relations with the Arab (Gulf) region in particular, and therefore positive Iraqi messages are necessary to reinforce this, and the Foreign Minister carried with him several important files during his visit to Kuwait.”
He explained that among those files were “money smuggled out of the country, which some of those involved in stealing public funds were smuggling through Kuwait and depositing in Kuwaiti banks, and these are large sums,” stressing that “the mechanism for freezing them and securing their return to the Iraqi authorities and depositing them within the special fund for recovering stolen funds was discussed.”
He added: “Discussions were held regarding coordination between the two countries, specifically the regulatory authorities, to uncover shell companies, refer them to the judiciary, and recover the looted funds as quickly as possible.”
The source pointed out that among the files is also “strengthening partnerships within economic and investment agreements and understandings between the two countries, the most important of which is supplying Iraq with Kuwaiti gas to generate electricity.”
Regarding the border issue between the two countries, the source confirmed that Kuwait has expressed its readiness to reach understandings with Iraq on the issue of demarcating the maritime borders.
He said that the security file was present in the discussions, especially the shared border between Iraq and Kuwait.
He added that “Iraq is looking for compromise solutions that satisfy both sides regarding contentious issues such as the demarcation of water borders and others, without negative transgressions that would affect the nature of relations between the two countries.”
Regarding the energy file, the source explained that “Kuwait has expressed its readiness to help Iraq overcome the electricity crisis by concluding clear agreements to supply the country with the energy it needs.”
On Wednesday, Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein announced his departure for Kuwait on his first official visit to the Gulf states since the formation of the new government headed by Ali al-Zubaidi.
According to a post by Hussein on the “X” platform, which was followed by Shafaq News Agency, the delegation accompanying the Minister of Foreign Affairs includes the National Security Advisor, the Governor of Basra, and senior staff from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Hussein indicated that the visit will discuss developing relations with Kuwait, in a way that enhances the interests of the two brotherly peoples.
Hours after his arrival in Kuwait, Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein announced late Wednesday/Thursday that Kuwaiti authorities had agreed to release the Iraqi fishermen who were detained by the Kuwaiti coast guard last week, confirming that they would arrive in Basra province later that day.
Hussein said in a statement on the sidelines of his visit to Kuwait that the fishermen would return to Basra accompanied by its governor, after completing the procedures for their release, explaining that the step came in response to the request made by the Iraqi delegation during its meeting with the First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior of Kuwait, Sheikh Fahd Yousef Saud Al-Sabah.
Iraq’s relationship with Kuwait has been experiencing intermittent tensions, which escalated after the US-Israeli war on Iran on February 28, when sites inside Kuwait were targeted by attacks launched from Iraqi territory, according to the Kuwaiti Ministry of Defense.
The issue of the detention of Iraqi fishermen by the Kuwaiti coast guard is also renewed from time to time, in addition to the file of maritime border demarcation and the navigation agreement between the two neighboring countries.
shafaq.com
