Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Ahmad Nasser Al Sabah arrived in Iraq on Sunday to deliver a message from the country’s emir expressing support for the new government of Mustafa Al Kadhimi.

The Iraqi prime minister’s office released a short statement to say Mr Al Kadhimi had received Mr Nasser and the visit was aimed at boosting bilateral ties.

The new Iraqi prime minister has expressed a desire to improve Gulf ties after taking office in May. Finance Minister Ali Allawi visited Kuwait on his way back from Saudi Arabia, the government’s first official visit.

“We want to create a kind of balance and integration between Iraq and the Gulf countries, which have a little role in the Iraqi economy,” Mr Allawi said last week. “Hopefully we will open a new page with regard to Gulf businessmen and the economic issues, especially with Saudi Arabia and Kuwait.”

The visit comes weeks after Iraq’s news finance minister visited the country as the new administration seeks outreach with the Gulf.

AlKhaleej Today