Kurdistan Region–Kuwait relations

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 are described as a 'historic friendship' and 'brotherly'.[4] Kuwait has substantial economic investments in the Kurdish region which amounted to over $2 billion in 2017.[5][6][7]

Kurdistan Region–Kuwait relations

Kuwait	Kurdistan Region

Politically, Kuwait is primarily interested in forging close ties to Iraq to avoid any repetition of the Invasion of Kuwait in 1990. This includes establishing close relations to Kurdistan, especially since it could fragment Iraq more, which would reduce the threat of a second invasion.[6]

High-ranking meetings

In 2013, Kurdish President Barzani visited Kuwait City and met with the Emir of Kuwait Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah[8] In 2015, a Kuwaiti governmental delegation visited Kurdistan and met with the Kurdish President Masoud Barzani.[7] 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.[7] 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.[9]

See also

• Iraq–Kuwait relations

References

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. 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. "We look forward to strengthening ties with Kuwait: Kurdistan President – Barzani meets Kuwaiti press delegation". Kuwait Times. 10 June 2015. Retrieved 7 March 2019.
6. "The Gulf Arab Countries and the Kurdish Referendum". Stratfor. 14 October 2017. Retrieved 7 March 2019.
7. "Kuwait And Kurdish Separatism". Giorgio Cafiero. LobeLog. Retrieved 7 March 2019.
8. "President Barzani Meets Emir of Kuwait, Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah". Kurdistan Region Presidency. Retrieved 11 March 2019.
9. "Masoud Barzani discusses bilateral ties with Kuwait's Emir before landing in Erbil". Kurdistan24. Retrieved 7 March 2019.

Further reading