... Security Council welcomed the continued cooperation of the governments of Iraq and Kuwait...United Nations (ANTARA News) - The UN Security Council said in a press statement issued here Wednesday that it welcomes the cooperation occurring between Iraq and Kuwait in settling outstanding issues between the two countries.
"The members of the Security Council welcomed the continued cooperation of the governments of Iraq and Kuwait, and their high-level commitments to full implementation of all Iraqi obligations to Kuwait under the relevant resolutions," said the statement.
The statement was released following a briefing from Ambassador Gennady Tarasov, the UN secretary-general's high-level coordinator for the issue of missing Kuwaiti and third-country nationals and the repatriation of Kuwaiti property.
"The members of the Security Council were encouraged by the recent positive developments in Iraqi-Kuwaiti bilateral relations, particularly in light of Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki's visit to Kuwait and Emir Shaikh Sabah Al Ahmad's visit to Baghdad for the League of Arab States summit, as well as the positive outcome of the second session of the joint Kuwait-Iraq Ministerial Committee," said the statement.
The statement called on both states to continue to act in a spirit that builds further confidence and cooperation, which should contribute to the strengthening of their good neighborly relations and enhancing regional stability."Â
The council acknowledged efforts on the part of Iraq to search for Kuwaiti and other third party nationals missing following the 1990 conflict between the two countries but "stressed the need for Iraq to continue to build on the steps already taken to fully meet its commitments."
The council noted, according to the statement, that joint exploratory missions under the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) could be a viable mechanism to ascertain the fate of the missing.
In the press statement, members of the council also welcomed the establishment of an inter-ministerial committee by Iraq to "lead and coordinate efforts with regard to the Kuwaiti national archives."
"Whilst the members of the Security Council welcomed the recent return of microfilm cassettes, Kuwaiti currency, documents, and safe keys, they noted the secretary-general's concern that no substantial progress has been made on clarifying the fate of the archives," said the statement.
The council noted, according to the statement, that joint exploratory missions under the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) could be a viable mechanism to ascertain the fate of the missing.
In the press statement, members of the council also welcomed the establishment of an inter-ministerial committee by Iraq to "lead and coordinate efforts with regard to the Kuwaiti national archives."
"Whilst the members of the Security Council welcomed the recent return of microfilm cassettes, Kuwaiti currency, documents, and safe keys, they noted the secretary-general's concern that no substantial progress has been made on clarifying the fate of the archives," said the statement.
"The members of the Security Council noted that sustained efforts on this file could hear results and repeated their call for an intensification of efforts to clarify the whereabouts of the archives through the inter- ministerial committee and for its results to be regularly reported to the United Nations."
In addition to noting cooperation between Iraq and Kuwait, the council members supported a recommendation by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to extend the financing of Tarasov's activities for another six months.
"They urged the governments of Iraq and Kuwait to sustain and intensify their constructive engagement with the high-level coordinator," said the statement.
(C003)
In addition to noting cooperation between Iraq and Kuwait, the council members supported a recommendation by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to extend the financing of Tarasov's activities for another six months.
"They urged the governments of Iraq and Kuwait to sustain and intensify their constructive engagement with the high-level coordinator," said the statement.
(C003)
Editor: Ade P Marboen
Copyright © ANTARA 2012
