Kuwait's first ambassador to Iraq since the 1990 invasion took office yesterday.

Ali al-Momen delivered his credential to Iraqi President Jalal al-Talabani, according to a statement by the president's office.

At a joint press conference with Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari, Momen said the leaders have decided to put aside the past and will make efforts to build good relations.

He also said Kuwait is ready to open the door to Iraq in all sectors.

Earlier in the month, Kuwait's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Sabah Al-Salem Al-Sabah announced that Momen, after taking office soon, would prepare for a high-profile visit to Baghdad by Kuwaiti Prime Minister Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammad Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah.

The visit will be of historic significance as the prime minister will be the first top-level Kuwaiti official to visit Iraq since the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait in 1990.

Following the topple of former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein in 2003, the two countries restored relationship damaged by Iraq's invasion in 1990.

Iraq, which borders Kuwait to the north, is required to use part of its oil revenue in damages for the war.

Baghdad has been calling on its Arab neighbors to push forward diplomatic relations with it, including high-level visits and sending ambassadors.

Prior to Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Bahrain and Syria have dispatched ambassadors to the war-ravaged country.