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, the capital city in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, since 2015.^[2][3] Relations were described as a 'historic friendship' and 'brotherly in 2018, and as "deep-rooted" in 2022.^[4][5] Kuwait has substantial economic investments in the Kurdish region which amounted to over $2 billion in 2017.^[6][7][8]

Kurdistan Region–Kuwait relations

Kuwait	Kurdistan Region

Politically, Kuwait is interested in establishing close relations to Kurdistan, especially since it could fragment Iraq more, which would reduce the threat of a second invasion.^[7]

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^[9] In 2015, a Kuwaiti governmental delegation visited Kurdistan and met with the Kurdish President Masoud Barzani.^[8] 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.^[8] 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.^[10]

After Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah was announced Emir of Kuwait in September 2020, the Emir and the Kurdish President held talks in October that year.^[11]

See also

• Iraq–Kuwait relations