Kuwait and Iraq form joint oil committee

03 Aug, 2004

Visiting Iraqi Oil Minister Thamir Ghadhban said Iraq has formed a joint oil committee with former foe Kuwait to develop strategic co-operation in energy-related fields between the neighbouring states.
During a three-day visit falling on the anniversary of Iraq's 1990 invasion of Kuwait, Ghadhban said co-operation between the two countries will include Kuwait supplying Iraq with gas, state news agency KUNA reported late on Sunday.
Ghadhban said the joint committee has already agreed on several topics to be discussed in its next meeting expected to take place in a few weeks.
Kuwait was used as the launchpad for last-year's US-led war which ousted Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein, whose forces invaded and occupied tiny Kuwait during the 1990-91 Gulf Crisis.
Iraq has in the past made territorial claims over Kuwait. The former Baathist state believed Kuwait to be a part of its historical land and accused it of stealing its oil, triggering Saddam's seven-month occupation.
Marking renewed ties, Ghadhban said he also discussed with Kuwaiti counterpart Sheikh Ahmad al-Fahd al-Sabah the joint-development of Seba oilfield in southern Iraq.
He added that Iraq plans to send workers to Opec-member Kuwait to train on putting out oil fires.

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