KUWAIT: HH the Prime Minister Sheikh Dr Mohammad Sabah Al-Salem Al-Sabah held talks at the National Assembly on Sunday about updating a legislation roadmap that was set with the previous government at the start of the current Assembly term in November with Assembly Speaker Ahmad Al-Saadoun, Deputy Speaker Mohammad Al-Mutair and members of the parliamentary committee for coordination with the government.

The previous government headed by HH Sheikh Ahmad Al-Nawaf Al-Sabah had agreed with the National Assembly on a well-defined plan to debate and approve legislation needed during the entire term, which ends in July. The Assembly and the government approved several key legislation and were due to debate and approve a set of other legislation starting Dec 19, but the demise of HH the Amir Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah on Dec 16 and the resignation of the government four days later disrupted the program.

No Assembly sessions have been held since then because of the resignation of the government. In the meantime, HH Sheikh Dr Mohammad was appointed as the new prime minister, and last week announced his first Cabinet. HH Sheikh Dr Mohammad told reporters after the meeting at the Assembly that the views discussed were “almost identical” to what should be done in the coming period.

He added it was agreed that the government will prepare its program of action before the next Assembly session on Feb 6, and then the government and Assembly will discuss what issues and legislation are needed and if the legislation roadmap needs to be amended. Deputy Speaker Mutair said the meeting was fruitful and “we came out of the meeting optimistic about the future”. Mutair said more meetings will be held between the Assembly and the government in order to reach the needed legislation after the government prepares its action program.