KUWAIT: Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdullah Ali Al-Yahya affirmed that the Schengen visa issue for Kuwaitis is being pursued with the involvement of the EU Special Representative for the Gulf Region Luigi Di Maio, revealing that Kuwait is anticipating results in the summer following the European elections. On the sidelines of the ceremony of the 5th anniversary of the opening of the EU delegation in Kuwait, the minister expressed Kuwait’s pride in the friendly and cooperative relations with the EU, praising the diligent work carried out by the EU delegation in Kuwait within the framework of enhancing cooperation between both sides.

During his remarks, EU Special Representative for the Gulf Region Luigi Di Maio stated that the relationship between the EU and Kuwait has steadily grown in numerous and diverse topics, ranging from economy and trade to people-to-people and regional security, affirming “Kuwait stands out as a close and reliable friend to the EU”. Di Maio revealed that in addition to efforts to resume the Free Trade Agreement negotiations between the EU and the GCC, the EU is ready to work on alternative formulas to unleash the great potential for the bilateral relationship, noting that the EU is fully aware of the strong expectations here in Kuwait regarding liberalization of visa.

Ambassadors and officials attend the event.

Regarding people-to-people, he noted “EU organized last month in Belgium the first joint training between young diplomats from the GCC countries and the EU, pointing out that the EU wants to reinforce the bilateral cooperation for our young diplomats. Tomorrow we will discuss potential projects for a new cooperation between the College of Europe, created in 1949 and based in Bruges, and the Sheikh Saud Nasser Al-Sabah Diplomatic Institute.”

For her part, EU Ambassador Anne Koistinen said “Over these five years, the EU-Kuwait friendship has gone from strength to strength. High-level contacts between Kuwait and the EU have increased, and I am proud to say that we have worked hand in hand with the Kuwaiti authorities and the Kuwaiti society.” She praised the role played by the Kuwaiti Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Kuwaiti Government, under the wise leadership of the Amir His Highness Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah.