Jump to content

Kurdistan Region–Kuwait relations

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Kurdistan Region–Kuwait relations
Map indicating locations of Kuwait and Kurdistan Region

Kuwait

Kurdistan Region

Kurdistan Region–Kuwait relations are bilateral relations between the Kurdistan Region[1] and Kuwait. While Kurdistan Region has no representation in Kuwait, the latter has a consulate general in Erbil since 2015.[2][3] Relations were described as a 'historic friendship' and 'brotherly in 2018, and as "deep-rooted" in 2022.[4][5] Kuwait has substantial economic investments in the Kurdish region which amounted to over $2 billion in 2017.[6][7][8]

Politically, Kuwait is interested in establishing close relations to Kurdistan, especially since it could fragment Iraq more, which would reduce the threat of a second invasion.[7]

High-ranking meetings

[edit]

In 2013, Kurdish President Barzani visited Kuwait City and met with the Emir of Kuwait Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah[9] In 2015, a Kuwaiti governmental delegation visited Kurdistan and met with the Kurdish President Masoud Barzani.[8] In 2017, Kuwait responded to the Kurdish independence referendum by expressing their concern about the referendum breaching the Iraqi constitution or damage Iraqi–Kurdish relations.[8] In November 2018, Barzani visited Kuwait again and met with the Emir of Kuwait Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and Defence Minister Nasser Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah to discuss the regional political developments.[10]

After Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah was announced Emir of Kuwait in September 2020, the Emir and the Kurdish President held talks in October that year.[11]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ While Kurdistan Region refers to the autonomous Kurdish region in Northern Iraq, Iraqi Kurdistan is a geographical term referring to the Kurdish area of Iraq
  2. ^ "Current Foreign Representations in the Kurdistan Region". Department of Foreign Relations - Kurdistan Regional Government. Archived from the original on 18 April 2020. Retrieved 7 March 2019.
  3. ^ "Barzani welcomes opening Kuwait Consulate and confirms: we will not be a part of the sectarian conflict". Shafaaq. Retrieved 7 March 2019.
  4. ^ "الرئيس السابق لاقليم كردستان يشيد بالمبادرات الانسانية للكويت" (in Arabic). Kuwait News Agency. 18 December 2018. Retrieved 10 March 2019.
  5. ^ "Kuwait cements ties with Iraq's Kurdistan". 15 September 2022. Retrieved 26 December 2023.
  6. ^ "We look forward to strengthening ties with Kuwait: Kurdistan President – Barzani meets Kuwaiti press delegation". Kuwait Times. 10 June 2015. Archived from the original on 7 January 2016. Retrieved 7 March 2019.
  7. ^ a b "The Gulf Arab Countries and the Kurdish Referendum". Stratfor. 14 October 2017. Retrieved 7 March 2019.
  8. ^ a b c "Kuwait And Kurdish Separatism". Giorgio Cafiero. LobeLog. Retrieved 7 March 2019.
  9. ^ "President Barzani Meets Emir of Kuwait, Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah". Kurdistan Region Presidency. Retrieved 26 December 2023.
  10. ^ "Masoud Barzani discusses bilateral ties with Kuwait's Emir before landing in Erbil". Kurdistan24. Retrieved 7 March 2019.
  11. ^ "President Barzani thanks Kuwait for continued support to Kurdistan Region: statement". 13 October 2020. Retrieved 26 December 2023.