German, Kuwaiti officials stress deep bonds

BERLIN: German and Kuwaiti officials yesterday underlined deep relations between their countries and reiterated willingness to upgrade them to the highest levels. This came during the second round of political consultations between Kuwait and Germany at the level of senior officials of both countries’ foreign ministries. Commenting on the meetings, the Kuwaiti delegation’s head Waleed Al-Khubaizi said they had discussed ways of promoting bilateral cooperation on various levels, and carrying on coordination at international forums.

Khubaizi, who is Assistant Foreign Minister, said Kuwait is interest in continuing distinguished cooperation with Germany and the European Union (EU) at all levels, pointing out Germany’s support to Kuwaiti citizens’ Schengen visa exemptions. On bilateral trade, investment and development cooperation, the Kuwaiti diplomat spoke highly of the level of Kuwaiti-German trade and investment partnership. He underscored mutual willingness to boost trade exchange, which hit 1.8 billion euro ($2.5 billion) last year. The investments of Kuwait Investment Authority (IA) in Germany are estimated at approximately 13.5 billion euro ($14.7 billion), and the Kuwaiti private sector’s investments there amount to 13 billion euro ($14.5 billion), he remarked. The Kuwaiti official also commended the level of existing military cooperation between Kuwaiti and German military establishments, calling for continuing bilateral cooperation in this vital sector. Khubaizi noted mutual willingness to promote bilateral health, cultural, scientific and academic cooperation.

Meanwhile, Minister of State at the Federal Foreign Office of Germany Niels Anne said his country hinges upon strategic partnership to serve mutual interests and upgrade cooperation with Kuwaiti to higher levels. Director General for Near and Middle East, Africa and Latin America at the German Foreign Ministry Philipp Ackermann lauded the second round of political consultations which came amid a very critical time in the Middle East region. He acclaimed Kuwaiti-German coordination about several regional and international challenges.

Kuwaiti Ambassador to Germany Najeeb Al-Bader said the talks were held in a positive and constructive atmosphere that reflected deep distinguished relations between both countries. A set of political, economic and consular subjects and matters were on the agenda of the talks, he noted. During the meetings, Assistant Foreign Minister Waleed Al-Khubaizi handed Minister of State at the Federal Foreign Office of Germany Niels Anne a letter from Kuwaiti Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah to his German counterpart Heiko Maas regarding bilateral relations and issues of mutual interest.