RIYADH: Kuwait has rejected Iran’s “claims” over the Al-Durra gas field, stressing that it owns exclusive rights to its natural resources along with Saudi Arabia, state news agency KUNA has reported.
Kuwait has also called on Iran to start negotiations over the demarcation of its maritime borders after Tehran said it was ready to begin drilling in the Al-Durra field.
“We categorically and totally reject Iran’s planned activities around the premises of the Durra offshore gas field,” said Kuwaiti Oil Minister Saad Al-Barrak, KUNA reported.
Al-Barrak said he was surprised by the Iranian plan and added that the move from Tehran contradicts the basic principles of international relations.
According to KUNA, a close source to Kuwait’s Foreign Ministry said that the “maritime area where Al Durra offshore field lies is part of the State of Kuwait’s sea territories, and the natural resources therein are shared between Kuwait and Saudi Arabia.”
The source added: “Only the State of Kuwait and Saudi Arabia have exclusive rights to the natural resources of the Al-Durra field.”
Earlier in March, Kuwait and Iran had held joint negotiations in Tehran regarding the demarcation of their maritime borders, where both sides stressed the need to settle the matter according to international laws.
