UK, Kuwait hold strategic dialogue on boosting ties, cooperation
LONDON, March 21, (KUNA): The first round of strategic dialogue between the State of Kuwait and the United Kingdom has been held in the UK, with both sides examining prospects of cementing further the historic and broad relations and cooperation at diverse levels.
The Kuwaiti side in the dialogue session, held on Monday, was headed by Foreign Minister Sheikh Salem Abdullah AlJaber Al-Sabah, while the British side was chaired by Sir James Cleverly, the Foreign Secretary of Great Britain and North Ireland.
Sheikh Salem, at start of the meeting, conveyed sincere greetings from His Highness the Amir Sheikh Nawaf AlAhmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Mishal AlAhmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah; addressed to King Charles III, the Monarch of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and North Ireland. He also relayed identical salutes from His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah toward the UK leadership, government and people, lauding the solid, historic and friendly relations between the two countries.
His Highness the Prime Minister affirmed necessity of boosting cooperation and coordination for serving mutual interests between the two friendly countries, while emphasizing significance of elevating the bilateral ties to broader levels for serving the joint interests.
He recalled historic events that had been witnessed in the process of partnership, friendship dating back to more than 124 years ago, exactly in the year 1899; such a process that has been based on security, defense cooperation, boosting mutual investments, cultures’ exchange, in addition to coordination in the sectors of medicine and teaching, noting Britain’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding security and sanctity of the State of Kuwait.
Also during Monday’s session, Sheikh Salem praised solidity of the cooperation at various international quarters, expressing hope for boosting this cooperation and lauding the high level of the solid, historic, strategic and friendly relations bonding the State of Kuwait with the UK.
Sir Cleverly expressed pride of the friendly and close relations and the strategic partnership between his nation and the State of Kuwait.
Although the world has been witnessing major and various developments, the Kuwaiti-UK relations have grown stronger, he said, also applauding Kuwait’s balanced foreign policy that is based on bolstering regional security and peace.
Sheikh Salem and Sir Cleverly discussed during the first round of the dialogue latest regional and international developments, means of boosting the mutual cooperation on the international arena, coordination vis a vis some issues such as the situation in the occupied Palestinian territories and humanitarian aid for Ukraine.
The two parties expressed desire to hold the second round of the strategic dialogue in Kuwait, next year.
Foreign Minister Sheikh Salem Abdullah Al-Sabah discussed along with British State Minister for International Trade, Lord Dominic Johnson, modes of bolstering strategic partnership and exploring promising opportunities across various financial sectors.
The talks, attended by a number of high British officials, were part of the Foreign Minister’s official visit to the UK, heading a delegation participating in the first round of strategic dialogue, launched Monday March 20.
The two sides recalled their achievements and the exponential growth in partnership and collaboration, as well as the steady growth of Kuwaiti investments in the UK since establishment of the investment office in London back in 1953.
This year marks 70 years of successful endeavors reflecting the special relations between the two friendly nations.
They also affirmed keenness on encouraging and furthering growth of economic partnership, exploring new avenues that correspond to the technical progress in fields of energy, renewable energy, and long-term investments, as well as taking strategic partnership to wider, more comprehensive horizons.
Following the talks, the Foreign Minister and Lord Johnson took part in the Ceremony of the Keys, one of the most notable ceremonies of British royalty.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs met with MP of the UK House of Commons Nigel Evans, head of the Foreign Affairs Committee Alicia Kearns and head of the parliamentary group at the House of Lords Rehman Chishti, as part of his UK visit late Monday.
The two sides discussed the historic Kuwaiti-British ties and efforts exerted to boost relations.
They also discussed joint work in different fields, especially investment, trade, enhancing the role of women, supporting youth, exchanging experience in cyper security, new techniques in dealing with climate change and new developments in Palestine, Ukraine and Yemen.
He also met with the Speaker of the House of Commons Lindsay Hoyle at the British parliament.
Sheikh Salem Abdullah Al-Jaber Al-Sabah met in London, UK National Security Adviser Sir Tim Barrow, as part of his official visit to the UK .
The meeting, which took place yesterday, Monday, dealt with the close deeprooted ties between Kuwait and the UK that go back as long as over a century.
They also reviewed the process of joint cooperation between both sides, in addition to conversing the most prominent developments regionally and internationally.
During the meeting, ways to enhance joint cooperation between the two sides were discussed to support efforts to establish peace, stability and security in the Middle East, in a way that benefits both sides.
Meanwhile, in another development, Foreign Minister Sheikh Salem Abdullah Al-Sabah underscored the importance of bolstering joint Arab work in light of ongoing geopolitical changes.
This came during his meeting with Arab ambassadors and heads of diplomatic missions accredited to the United Kingdom.
The meeting came prior to the top diplomat’s visit to the British capital as head of Kuwaiti delegation engaging in the first round of strategic dialogue slated to be held on Monday.
The Foreign Minister examined along with the diplomats the deeply rooted sturdy historic relations between Kuwait and the United Kingdom, as well as handled a slew of issues and developments on regional and international fronts, at the forefront of which is the Palestinian case.
Minister Al-Sabah took the opportunity to commend the Saudi-Iranian pact and underlined the necessity of extending peace bridges in support of security and stability.
The Minister also received Kuwaiti attaches in the UK to examine workflow and performances as he also hailed their exemplary efforts and their tireless work, and urged them to further their efforts in easing procedures of Kuwaiti citizens in the UK and providing them with the necessary services.