63rd National Day and 33rd Liberation Day of the State of Kuwait 22 February 2024
Today, we celebrate the two very important occasions of the State of Kuwait, the 63rd National Day and its 33rd Liberation Day. His Highness the Amir of the State of Kuwait Sheikh Meshal Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah has ascended to the throne as Kuwait’s new Amir succeeding the late Sheikh Nawwaf Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah. As he takes the helm as the new Amir, Kuwait continues the process of building and development as well as ensuring the continuity of the positive engagement with the international community on all aspects and fields of mutual benefits.
On these auspicious occasions, the State of Kuwait looks forward to further strengthen and nurture the friendship and deep ties with the Republic of the Philippines founded on shared aspirations for greater peace and prosperity for our peoples.
The Kuwait and the Philippines have a long history of diplomatic relations.
The diplomatic relations between both countries started in 1979. Kuwait opened its embassy in Manila in 1996. During this time, we had several high-level visits including former President Fidel Ramos’ visit in Kuwait in 1997 and former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s visit in Kuwait in 2009. From our side, the late Sheikh Nawwaf Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah visited the Philippines in 2012.
As we have celebrated the 45 years of harmonious relationship between our two countries, we look forward to increasing visits and exchanges between the government officials of both countries. I believe exchange visits are important to better understand the needs of each country and put in place agreements to address such needs.
Furthermore, I avail of this opportunity to reaffirm our commitment in strengthening and expanding the bilateral relations between our two countries and to reinforce ties of friendship and cooperation between our peoples.
I take this opportunity to wish His Excellency President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcor Jr, the Philippine government and the Filipino people continued success as you pursue the path toward greater peace, progress, and prosperity.
Finally, thank you for joining us in celebrating the 63rd National Day of the State of Kuwait and its 33rd Liberation Day. Thank you and Mabuhay.
Kuwait continues to bolster its bilateral ties with countries around the world as it marks its 63rd National Day. For instance, current labor concerns have not stopped the Gulf state from keeping its good diplomatic relations with the Philippines. “In fact, the then Crown Prince, now the Amir of the State of Kuwait, His Highness Sheikh Meshal Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah,” through his top diplomat, expressed openness to restart talks with the Philippine government to resolve existing issues. The agenda would be to guarantee the welfare and protection of rights of Filipino workers to be deployed to Kuwait, Malacañang said following Marcos' pull aside meeting with the Monarch during the ASEAN-GCC Summit in Riyadh. It was even the then Crown Prince, now the Amir who informed the President of Kuwait’s “urgent desire to normalize relations with the Philippines,” the Palace added. In 2020, former Foreign Affairs secretary Teddyboy Locsin cited a “proof” of the decadeslong friendship between the two countries. The “generosity” of the Kuwaiti government to repatriate thousands of overseas Filipino workers (OFWS) at no cost “deeply touched” the Philippine government. Kuwaiti also launched an amnesty program for expatriates with immigration violations, which benefited more than 20,000 expatriates, including distressed overseas Filipinos, as well as waived immigration penalties. “It is proof that any more is needed, of the decades-long friendship between our countries,” Locsin said in his 2020 speech. The Philippine government also cited Kuwait’s “pragmatic and balanced foreign policy,” which has “contributed greatly towards resolving diplomatic crises in the Gulf.” “It has repeatedly illustrated the successful use of diplomatic mediation in restoring relations, and effectively deescalating tension in the region, home to over two million Filipinos,” Locsin said.