BRUSSELS: The Representative of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Al-Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, addressed the first GCC-EU Summit on Wednesday, affirming that it constitutes a historic opportunity to elevate higher the level of the relations between the GCC and EU countries. The summit, he said, mirrors the mutual sincere and serious desire to boost and expand the cooperation between the two sides and seek, together, a comprehensive joint strategy, based on the vision of the leaders of GCC states.

His Highness the Prime Minister also indicated that this approach, based on mutual understanding, cooperation and respect, aims at strengthening security and stability at the regional and international levels. The Representative of His Highness the Amir, His Highness the Prime Minister, expressed hope that there would be progress in the negotiations of the aspired free trade treaty between the GCC and the EU for the sake of reaching a framework agreement for cooperation

and “acting to find an alternative formula for the sake of investing the abundant potentials of our states and set guidance toward the joint destiny and effective partnership in various sectors.”

He re-affirmed the adherence to joint action to face the challenges and bolster the strategic partnership among the GCC and EU states, expressing hope of Kuwait, as chair of the GCC in the end of 2024, to see full coordination “with our European partners regarding all issues of joint concern.” The Representative of His Highness the Amir, His Highness the Prime Minister conveyed greetings of His Highness the Amir to the EU and GCC leaders.

“We meet today with hopes that our meeting will contribute to building mutual understanding for setting up our relations in a better form,” he began the speech, noting that this relationship is necessary to attain mutual interests in the face of rapid global changes with respect of the climatic change, economic jitters, developments in the energy sectors, cyber wars, geopolitical tension and regional conflicts.

On the relations with Iraq, His Highness the Amir’s Representative affirmed that Kuwait had aided the neighboring country to restore its regional status and attain its people’s aspirations. He called on Baghdad to take tangible measures to tackle pending files namely the demarcation of the maritime borders beyond the point 162, in line with international laws and charters, resolve the file of the prisoners, the missing and the Kuwaiti properties including the national archive.

His Highness the Prime Minister urged Iraq to adhere to bilateral agreements related to security, technical aspects of the waterway at Khor Abdullah; as the “agreements could enhance the concept of conserving the environment, organizing navigation, combating terrorism, illegal trade in arms, narcotics and smuggling,” affirming the necessity to pursue dialogue on the basis of mutual respect and understanding.

Turning to the dangerous escalation in the Middle East, he called for an immediate cessation of the airstrikes carried out by Zionist occupation. He renewed Kuwait’s principled stand in support of the Palestinian people and their just cause aimed at establishing the independent state to the June 4, 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital. He applauded the European States’ decision earlier this year, recognizing the State of Palestine, and urged other European countries to follow suit. His Highness the Amir’s Representative acclaimed Riyadh’s establishment of the international coalition to execute the two-state settlement, stressed on the necessity of securing navigation via all vital waterways to preserve security in the region and the whole world.

His Highness affirmed Kuwait’s unwavering advocacy of the necessity to resolve issues through peaceful means, adhere to the principles of the international law, protecting the global order from disarray, while rejecting double standards. He called for collective action for backing humanitarian and relief efforts in regions witnessing armed conflicts or stricken with catastrophes, renewed the adherence to joint action in the face of challenges and bolstering the partnership between the GCC and the EU. - KUNA