KUWAIT: Official talks between Kuwait and the UAE took place on Sunday at Bayan Palace. Heading the Kuwaiti side was HH the Amir Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and HH the Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, while the Emirati delegation was headed by President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan.

At the meeting, attended by a number of top officials from both sides, HH the Amir welcomed the Emirati head of state, expressing deep joy and appreciation for his visit. HH the Amir called this visit a point to further cement the sturdy long-lasting relations tying the two, and moving forward to a bright present and a promising future, whether on the bilateral level through the Kuwaiti-Emirati joint committee, or through the Gulf bloc.

He praised the harmony between the Kuwaiti and Emirati positions on regional and international fronts and in highly sensitive times, saying that addressing these challenges should be rooted in international relations and charters, dictated by the voice of wisdom. Concluding his speech, HH the Amir Sheikh Mishal wished the UAE’s President success in all his endeavors, and for the fraternal nation further progression and excellence.

On his part, President Sheikh Mohamed voiced his delight at visiting Kuwait and meeting with HH the Amir to engage in discussions and exchange perspectives on matters important to the respective nations and the region as a whole. The Emirati President hailed the deep-rooted relations between the two, saying they are interlinked by shared blood, history, culture, proximity and principles. He said that these sentiments were expressed some 56 years ago during first official visit of the late Sheikh Zayed to Kuwait and his meeting with the late Sheikh Sabah Al-Salem, and remain unchanged since then.

The UAE believes that economic cooperation is the basis for strong relations and achievement of aspirations, stated the President, adding that as such, the UAE sees Kuwait as an essential partner for progress and development in the region. In that regard, President Sheikh Mohamed pointed to non-oil trade exchange between the two, saying it had amounted to more than $12 billion.

The UAE is Kuwait’s second largest trade partner in the world, and second on the regional level. Kuwait is the UAE’s 12th most essential partner in the world, he remarked, hoping for even more growth in economic relations. Taking note of the difficult challenges facing the region and the entire world, the President affirmed that Gulf work is a security policy ensuring stability in the region.

The Emirati President thanked HH the Amir for the warm welcome and generous hospitality, wishing Kuwait further progress and prosperity. Amiri Diwan Affairs Minister Sheikh Mohammad Al-Abdullah Al-Sabah said the talks included modes of boosting the sturdy fraternal relations across various fields and expanding cooperation in what benefits both nations, as well as issues of common interest, supporting unity, joint Arab and Gulf work and latest regional and international developments. — KUNA