GCC Iraq Maritime Coordinates Withdrawal: Safeguarding Kuwait Sovereignty And UNCLOS Compliance

The Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council Jasem Albudaiwi urged the Republic of Iraq to withdraw maritime coordinates and a map submitted to the United Nations. The GCC said the Iraqi filing contains claims over maritime zones that Kuwait considers part of its sovereign waters.

According to the GCC General Secretariat, the disputed Iraqi map and coordinates cover maritime areas and shoals claimed by the State of Kuwait. These include Fasht Al Qaid and Fasht Al A’aij, which Kuwait regards as lying fully within its maritime jurisdiction.

Albudaiwi stressed that such maritime issues should follow international legal rules, especially the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. He said any discussions must also respect existing understandings, agreements, and bilateral memoranda previously concluded between Iraq and Kuwait.

The Secretary-General referred to the Final Statement of the GCC Supreme Council at its 46th session. That statement confirmed GCC positions demanding Iraq respect Kuwait’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, reject any infringement over its lands, islands, shoals, and maritime zones, and comply with bilateral agreements and relevant United Nations resolutions.

Albudaiwi highlighted the political impact of the Iraqi claims on regional ties. "The GCC and the Republic of Iraq are bound by deep-rooted historical relations and close ties based on mutual respect and good neighbourliness," Albudaiwi said, noting that such claims do not contribute to strengthening the course of cooperation and bilateral relations between the two sides.

He expressed hope that Iraq would reconsider the UN submission and remove the disputed coordinates and map. Albudaiwi said such a step would help rebuild mutual trust, support stable relations with Kuwait and other GCC states, and confirm adherence to applicable legal and international principles.

With inputs from SPA