KUWAIT: The delivery of Polish weaponry to Kuwait, which is still under negotiation, will be among key topics during the visit of Andrzej Szejna, Poland’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs. Speaking at Poland’s travel roadshow on Tuesday, Szejna highlighted that this matter would be addressed in his upcoming meetings with Kuwait’s Minister of Defense and Deputy Minister. He added that the discussions will cover a range of topics, including the situation in the Middle East, particularly Gaza and Syria, the war in Ukraine, and Poland’s transatlantic relations with the United States and NATO.
Military cooperation will also be addressed, particularly in light of the 2023 agreement between Poland and Kuwait, which enabled the training of Kuwaiti military cadets in Poland. Szejna described the relationship between the two countries as “closer than ever,” particularly in the area of security. He pointed to decades of cooperation and recalled that Poland was part of the coalition that liberated Kuwait during the Gulf War.
Furthermore, Szejna noted that the discussions would explore opportunities linked to Kuwait’s leadership of the GCC and Poland’s upcoming European Union presidency, aiming to strengthen ties between the two regions. Szejna also highlighted that Poland’s motto for its EU presidency in the first half of 2025 is “Security, Europe.” According to a Saudi think tank, this approach could present new opportunities for collaboration, aligning with GCC objectives.
The think tank further emphasized that security cooperation would be a priority during Poland’s presidency, building on the momentum from the first EU-GCC Regional Security Dialogue in Riyadh in January 2024. This platform could expand collaboration in key areas such as cybersecurity, counterterrorism, and combating disinformation. Additionally, Poland’s presidency aims to foster regional stability in the Middle East by leveraging both the EU’s diplomatic influence and the GCC’s regional expertise.
The deputy minister also underscored the growing tourism connections between Poland and Kuwait. “We would like to highlight our openness to tourists from Kuwait,” he said. “Poland is becoming an increasingly attractive destination for Kuwaiti travelers, and the number of visitors is steadily rising. This is one of the reasons for our presence here in Kuwait, along with representatives from the Polish Tourist Organization.”
In his opening speech at the event, Osama Al-Makhyal, Assistant Undersecretary for the Tourism Sector at the Kuwaiti Ministry of Information, highlighted the long-standing relationship between Kuwait and Poland, built on mutual respect and cooperation. “We look forward to further strengthening this relationship, especially in the field of tourism, where there is significant potential for mutual growth and cultural exchange,” he stated. He continued, “Poland’s culture and natural attractions make it a destination worth discovering. From our side, we affirm Kuwait’s commitment to exploring new opportunities for cooperation in tourism to deepen the ties between our two friendly nations.”