KUWAIT: Ambassador of the Republic of Azerbaijan to Kuwait Emil Karimov celebrated the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Azerbaijan and Kuwait, which were officially established on October 7, 1994. The ambassador stated that the foundation of relations between Azerbaijan and Kuwait dates back to December 1994, during a summit of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in Casablanca, Morocco, where the late national leader of the Azerbaijani people, Heydar Aliyev (may God have mercy on him), and the late Amir of Kuwait, Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah (may God bless his soul), first met. Further meetings followed in March 1995 in Copenhagen at a UN summit, and again in October 1995 in New York during the annual celebration of the United Nations’ founding.

In 1995, Kuwait opened the office of the Asian Muslims Committee, affiliated with the International Islamic Charitable Organization, in Baku, Azerbaijan. In 1996, under the directives of Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah and the special patronage of Heydar Aliyev, the Asian Muslims Committee organized the first international conference to assist Azerbaijani refugees and displaced persons in Baku. Following Sheikh Jaber’s instructions in 1995, five planes carrying 200 tons of food and medical aid were sent to Azerbaijan.

In 2004, Azerbaijan opened its embassy in Kuwait, and in 2006, the Kuwaiti embassy in Azerbaijan began operations. “The official visit of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, to Kuwait on February 10-11, 2009, marked a milestone in the development and strengthening of relations between our two countries, elevating political ties to the highest level,” Karimov said. During the visit, and in the presence of the heads of state, a joint committee for cooperation between the governments of Azerbaijan and Kuwait was established, resulting in important agreements aimed at encouraging and protecting mutual investments, preventing tax evasion and double taxation concerning income and property taxes, and fostering cooperation in the fields of trade and tourism.

During the visit, the Amir of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah (may God bless his soul), presented President Ilham Aliyev with the Mubarak Al-Kabeer Medal, the highest honor in Kuwait, while the President of Azerbaijan awarded the late Amir with the Heydar Aliyev Medal, the highest honor in Azerbaijan.

Kuwait has consistently supported the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Azerbaijan, voting in favor of the United Nations resolution “The Situation in the Occupied Territories of Azerbaijan” on March 14, 2008. The Joint Commission for Cooperation between the governments of the two countries was established on February 10, 2009. The first meeting of the Azerbaijani-Kuwaiti Joint Intergovernmental Commission took place on January 10-11, 2011, in Kuwait, followed by the second meeting on February 13-14, 2013, in Baku.

It was agreed that the next meeting of the Joint Economic Commission would be held in Kuwait, where new agreements on cooperation in various fields such as education, justice, agriculture, culture, sports, and labor are expected to be signed. As a result of comprehensive measures taken to develop the tourism industry in our country, the flow of tourists from Kuwait to Azerbaijan has rapidly increased, exceeding 20,000 from January to September 2024.

Flights between Kuwait and Baku, operated by Kuwait Airways, Jazeera Airways, and Azerbaijani airline AZAL, run almost every day of the week, and simplified visa regulations for Kuwaiti citizens have created favorable conditions for tourism cooperation. Additionally, Azerbaijani airline Silk Way handles cargo transportation to Kuwait. “Since 2016, the visa process for Kuwaiti citizens has been simplified at Azerbaijan’s airports, and since 2017, Kuwaiti citizens have had the option to obtain an electronic visa quickly through the ASANVisa system. I believe that simplifying the visa process for Azerbaijani citizens by Kuwait could positively impact the number of Azerbaijani tourists visiting the country,” the ambassador noted.

Ambassador Karimov said, “Relations between Azerbaijan and Kuwait are founded on deep historical roots and strong cultural and religious ties. Currently, Azerbaijan and Kuwait enjoy successful cooperation within international organizations and bilateral frameworks, including effective collaboration within OPEC Plus. The steps taken to develop and strengthen bilateral cooperation in the humanitarian field with the Kuwaiti side encompass education, culture, media, family, women, children, humanitarian aid, and other areas.”

Efforts are ongoing to enhance cooperative relations between Kuwait University and Baku State University, with plans to sign an agreement for cooperation in education and science between the two countries. Scholarship programs at various educational levels for citizens of OIC and NAM member states have been established in higher education institutions in Azerbaijan through relevant decrees by the President of Azerbaijan. Currently, one Kuwaiti student is studying in Azerbaijan under this scholarship, and efforts are being made to increase that number in the near future. Seven seats have been allocated for students from Azerbaijan at the Language Center at Kuwait University to study Arabic for one year. Additionally, Kuwait University has allocated four seats for Azerbaijani students to pursue a bachelor’s degree.

The ambassador concluded by noting that this year is filled with significant events, coinciding with the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Azerbaijan and Kuwait. Additionally, this year, Shusha, the cultural capital of Azerbaijan, was declared the “Cultural Capital of the Islamic World.” Furthermore, Azerbaijan will host the UN Climate Change Conference (COP29) next month, leading to the declaration of 2024 as the “Year of Solidarity for a Green World” in our country. “We hope that the Kuwaiti side will be represented at a high level at the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP29),” the ambassador added.