First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah concluded highly successful four-day trip to Greece and Hungary on Friday night.
On Tuesday, June 10, he arrived in Athens, leading a large delegation to the third two-day meeting of the Arab League and European Union (EU) foreign ministers, and to take part in the celebration of the 50th Anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations between Kuwait and Greece.
On Wednesday, June 11, Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled underlined, in statements to KUNA on the sidelines of the EU-Arab League meeting, the significant role of the EU in resolving Middle East issues.
He said the EU plays an important role in settling the issues and problems of the Middle East region, given that it has two permanent members of the UN Security Council, notably France and Britain.
He said the meeting had focused on several economic, social, scientific and technical issues, together with a number of regional and international issues of mutual interest, mainly Palestine, Syria, terrorism and Arab-EU relations.
Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled added that both sides are willing to promote and bolster bilateral cooperation, pointing to mutual interests.
On Thursday, June 12, he held talks with Greek President Karolos Papoulias, on the occasion of his official visit to Athens to celebrate the bilateral relations’ 50th anniversary.
Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled, during the meeting, conveyed greetings of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and His Highness’ good wishes to the Greek people for further progress and stability.
For his part, the Greek president praised level of the bilateral ties, affirming desire of the two leaderships to bolster these relations further.
He also held talks with the Greek Prime Minister Antonis Samaras on means to bolster the bilateral relations and issues of mutual interest.
In a joint press conference with Greek Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Evangelos Venizelos, he said that the situation in Iraq “poses a security threat” and creates “a source of true anxiety” for the region, warning of ramifications if a combined response to terrorism is not initiated.
This anxiety is not expressed by Kuwait alone, but for all the nations of the region, he said at the end of a visit to Greece on the Golden Jubilee of both countries’ diplomatic relations.
Kuwait had previously warned that there would be consequences in the event of the spilling of the situation in Syria into other nations, he added.
“I think what has occurred is a translation of what we (Kuwait) were warning of as a result of the crisis in Syria — that it would spread.
“The destruction does not only affect Syria but also affect neighbouring and regional nations,” he added.
“Any threats or fundamentalism in one of the region’s nations pose a threat to the security of the region — All of these matters are the source of true anxiety for the nations of the region.” Arab League and the EU foreign ministers, meeting in Athens, had released a joint statement condemning the ongoing terrorist attacks in Iraq.
Militants belonging to the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) took control of Iraq’s second largest city of Mosul, along with parts of key cities Tikrit and Kirkuk over the past three days, while the US is pondering whether to launch an offensive in order to hinder their advances, he noted.
Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled inaugurated Kuwait’s newly-built embassy in Athens; the event was attended by Foreign Minister Venizelos, Greek and Kuwaiti diplomats.
Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled, during a speech at the event, stressed the depth of friendly relations between both countries, noting the inauguration of the new embassy reflects a successful diplomatic relationship based on cooperation and partnerships under all domains.
Meanwhile in Budapest, Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled attended a dinner banquet held in his honour by Kuwait’s Ambassador to Hungary Dr. Hamad Burhama, attended by Hungary’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Tibor Navracsics.
Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled told KUNA during the occasion that Kuwait’s relations with Hungary are deep-rooted and are in their best condition and that communication is at its highest level between both sides He expressed the keenness of the leaders of both countries to invest in 50 years of diplomatic ties through further progress and growth in the benefit of their friendly nations and peoples.
For his part, the Hungarian minister expressed his appreciation of the visit, noting to the depth of bilateral relations.
On Firday, June 13, Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled met with Hungarian Deputy Prime Minister Dr. Zsolt Semjen, discussing with him means to bolster bilateral relations and issues of mutual interest.
He also met Hungarian Parliament Speaker Laszlo Kover and discussed bilateral relations and means to boost them as well as issues of mutual interest.
Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled’s visit to Hungary was to celebrate 50 years of diplomatic ties.
Sheikh Sabah Khaled concluded his official visit to Hungary land left Budapest earlier today.
He led a delegation that was made up of Managing Director of Kuwait Investment Authority Bader Mohammad Al-Saad, the ministry’s head of the Europe department Waleed Al-Khobaizi, the head of the Office of the First Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Dr. Ahmad Nasser Al-Mohammad Al-Sabah, and Director General of the Kuwait Direct Investment Promotion Authority Sheikh Dr. Mishal Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah.
Source : KUNA Kuwait News agency
