-- Kuwait Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammad Al-Sabah said Monday preparatory meetings of the International Compact With Iraq (ICI) were "innovative" to ultimately achieve security and prosperity in Iraq.
"The idea of holding the International Compact with Iraq is innovative in order to show the seriousness of Iraq to reach the objectives and to see stability of this brotherly country and development of its economy to enable it supports its people, neighbors and (Arab) nation," Sheikh Mohammad, also deputy Prime Minister, told reporters.
Speaking while receiving visiting Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister Barham Saleh, Sheikh Mohammad said the ICI meeting, due in Kuwait on Tuesday, was part of huge international endeavors to help Iraq stand on its feet again.
The meetings, he added, "will be a big support for Iraq and the Iraqi people." Saleh said he would inform the participants about his government's vision of necessary reforms.
"The Compact project is an Iraqi initiative which includes political, security and economic reforms thus transforming Iraq into a secured and prosperous country," said Saleh.
The stability and security of Iraq needs the support of the region and international community, said Saleh, but "if we fail, god forbids, this failure will reflect on every country in the region ... the current Iraqi leadership seeks to transform Iraq into a secured country which backs security and stability.
"We are facing dangerous challenges in Iraq. The State of Kuwait and us are sharing one objective and it is to maintain security and see Iraq free of mass graves ...," said Saleh.
Saleh, meanwhile, said Iraq was in constant contacts with the countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).
"I am sure the GCC countries will support the elected Iraqi government and will contribute to lifting the burdens of the previous phase ...," he added.
Saleh thanked Kuwait for hosting the meeting and said he was certain that Iraq would be supporting its neighbors for the sake of the entire region.
Tomorrow's meeting would be the final step to formally launch the compact by the end of 2006 and all sides have insisted on devising practical steps for implementation.
ICI's preparatory group included the UN, US, UK, United Arab Emirates (UAE), Kuwait, World Bank, International Monetary Fund (IMF), European Union (EU), Arab development funds, Islamic Development Bank (IDB), France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Saudi Arabia, South Korea and Spain.