"A new chapter in Iraq-Kuwait relations opens today" [fr]

Thank you Mr. President;

I would like to thank Ambassador Michael Gaffey for his presentation.

I would also like to acknowledge the presence of the Foreign Minister of Iraq and the Permanent Representative of Kuwait.

Today is an important day for Iraq and Kuwait, but also for this Security Council, which established the United Nations Compensation Commission in 1991.

For 31 years, it has done extensive work to process claims from individuals, companies, governments and international organizations following Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait. As you said, UNCC has settled nearly 1.5 million claims worth more than $52 billion, which is unprecedented in the history of international claims settlement. This is an exemplary success story in post-conflict reconstruction and reconciliation, which, as we can see, is a long-term process.

Security Council Resolution 687 also created a unique environmental recovery program to repair the environmental damage caused in the region by the invasion of Kuwait. This unique mechanism has overseen the implementation of projects in Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Iran.

In accordance with its obligations under successive Security Council resolutions and the decisions of the Compensation Commission’s Board of Directors, Iraq has always scrupulously fulfilled its commitments by making regular payments to the compensation fund. This consistency is all the more commendable given the difficult years the country has gone through.

I would also like to emphasize the very constructive attitude of Kuwait, which has cooperated with Iraq and with the Commission over these 31 years.

France commends the work of the Commission’s Secretariat and its continued commitment to serving all claimants.

A new chapter in relations between Iraq and Kuwait opens today with the closing of the Commission. I would like to take this opportunity to recall the close ties and partnerships between France and these two friendly countries. I hope that the excellent relations between Iraq and Kuwait can be translated into joint projects.

I would also like to commend the positive role played by Iraq and Kuwait at the regional level, in order to facilitate the resolution of crises and create the conditions for regional dialogue to contribute to stability and security. Iraqi balancing diplomacy and Kuwaiti mediation skills are well known in the region.

At a time when the UNCC’s mandate is coming to an end, as well as Iraq’s financial obligations under Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter, France would like once again to express its appreciation and gratitude to the Commission, to Kuwait, to Iraq and to all those who have contributed to the Commission’s work over the past three decades.

I thank you.