Iraqi official hails Kuwait’s hosting of donor conference
Hakim praises Amir’s efforts during meeting with media delegation
BAGHDAD: Leader of the National Wisdom Movement Ammar Al-Hakim said the international donor conference to rebuild Iraq to be hosted by Kuwait in February adds to Kuwait’s brilliant image and will further bolster bilateral ties between Kuwait and Iraq. He said during a meeting with a Kuwaiti media delegation visiting the capital Baghdad late Saturday that HH the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber AlSabah has always been supporting Iraq to overcome various crises. He also mentioned Kuwait’s role in liberating his country from Saddam Hussein’s regime by opening its land and airspace to allow the movement of armed forces.
On the other hand, Hakim said that the upcoming Iraqi parliamentary elections will create stability and boost democracy in the country. This year’s elections are similar to those of 2005, when Iraq moved from dictatorship to democracy, he said during the meeting with the Kuwaiti media delegation.
Iraq has witnessed many prominent achievements recently, including defeating the so-called Islamic State (IS) that occupied 40 percent of Iraqi land, overcoming religious extremism which was destroying stability and security and reaching a level of political unity, Hakim noted. He added that the government aims to build a country able to provide citizens with complete services as well as job opportunities and residence, while developing its infrastructure and fighting corruption.
Iraq is currently producing up to five million barrels per day, while the country will benefit from the production of natural gas by 100 percent end of 2018. Meanwhile, he noted that the wisdom party pays attention to fully represent women and youth, especially college graduates as these two categories form the majority of Iraqi society.
Responding to a question on the possibility of postponing the elections set for May 12, Hakim said he doesn’t believe there is any reason to delay the process. On Thursday, the Iraqi parliament failed to vote on the set date for the elections due to the absence of some MPs. The parliament will hold another vote today to approve the date of May’s elections.
The Kuwaiti delegation includes Editor-in-Chief of Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) Saad Al-Ali, Secretary General of Kuwait Journalists Association Adnan Al-Rashed, Editor-in-Chief of Kuwait Times Abd Al-Rahman Al-Alyan and senior officials from the information ministry and Kuwaiti newspapers. The international donor conference to rebuild Iraq will be held from Feb 12 to 14, chaired by the European Union, Iraq, Kuwait, the UN and the World Bank. — KUNA
BAGHDAD: Dean of Iraqi journalists Muwayyed AlLami praised His Highness the Amir of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah’s support for reconstruction of Iraq. “The humanity of His Highness the Amir is taking care of Iraq and its people, just like he does to his people and country,” Lami said during a meeting with a visiting delegation from Kuwait official and private media Saturday night. He said the delegation’s visit is an evidence of Kuwait’s political, economic and security support of Iraq for more than 15 years.
Kuwait wants to continue this backing by hosting a conference to rebuild Iraq on February 12-14, said Lami. He said the delegation would meet senior state officials and conduct interviews to know the real needs of Iraq. The Kuwaiti delegation would be meeting government officials and political parties’ leaders to discuss the reconstruction conference.
Faisal Al-Mutlaqqem, Kuwait Information Ministry Assistant Undersecretary for External Media, called for further development of relations at all levels with Iraq. Kuwait, he added, is keen on boosting relations with the Arab media institutions, including the ones in Iraq. He said Kuwait is interested in a stable Iraq.
The Kuwaiti delegation also includes Kuwait Times Editor-in-Chief Abd Al-Rahman Al-Alyan, KUNA’s Deputy Director General and Chief Editor Saad Al-Ali, Secretary General of Kuwait Journalists Association Adnan Al-Rashed, Chief Editor of Al-Nahar newspaper Emad Bu Khamseen, Hassan Al-Sayegh from the Diwan of His Highness the Prime Minister, and journalists from Al-Jarida, Al-Qabas, Al-Shahed and Al-Rai newspapers, as well as KUNA. —KUNA