The Gulf Cooperation Council calls on Iraq to withdraw its maritime border map
The Ministerial Council of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf called on the Republic of Iraq to take serious and urgent steps to address the negative repercussions of recent developments in the maritime border issue, demanding that Baghdad withdraw the map of maritime coordinates that was deposited with the United Nations, which contradicts the international agreements concluded and the relevant Security Council resolutions.
This unified Gulf position came to emphasize the need to respect the sovereignty of the State of Kuwait and the inviolability of its lands and territorial waters, as the Council stressed its categorical rejection of any unilateral measures that may affect the status quo or impede the processes of demarcating the maritime borders beyond marker 162. The final statement of the ministerial meeting indicated that the new Iraqi map is inconsistent with international legal obligations and violates the principles of good neighborliness that should prevail in relations between the countries of the region.
Historical and legal background: Resolution 833 and Khor Abdullah
To understand the dimensions of this dispute, it is necessary to return to the historical and legal context governing border relations between the two countries. The Gulf and Kuwaiti position is based primarily on UN Security Council Resolution 833 of 1993, which precisely defined the land and maritime borders between Kuwait and Iraq. This resolution is binding and final under Chapter VII of the UN Charter, making it a fundamental and indispensable basis for any subsequent negotiations or procedures.
The issue is also closely linked to the 2012 agreement between the two countries regulating maritime navigation in the Khor Abdullah waterway, which was deposited with the United Nations. However, tensions have recently escalated following a ruling by Iraq’s Supreme Federal Court that the Iraqi parliament’s ratification of the agreement was unconstitutional, creating a legal and diplomatic vacuum that has raised concerns among the Gulf Cooperation Council states and the international community.
Strategic importance and impact of the event
This dispute is not merely a matter of lines on a map; it carries significant strategic and economic dimensions. Khor Abdullah is a vital waterway for trade and navigation, and it is directly linked to major economic projects such as the Mubarak Al-Kabeer Port in Kuwait and the Grand Faw Port in Iraq. A stable legal and border situation in this area is essential for ensuring the flow of global trade and energy security in the northern Arabian Gulf region.
Regionally, the Gulf Cooperation Council's statement reflects a message of absolute solidarity with the State of Kuwait, affirming that the security of the GCC states is indivisible. This firm stance aims to prevent any tensions that could affect regional stability, while calling on Iraq to return to the table of constructive dialogue to finalize the demarcation of maritime borders in accordance with international law. This would guarantee the interests of both brotherly peoples and enhance opportunities for economic and developmental cooperation, rather than engaging in recurring border disputes.
