KUWAIT: The Cabinet was “very unhappy” over FIFA Congress vote that failed to lift a suspension of the nation’s football association. The Cabinet requested a full report from the Public Authority for Sports (PAS) on necessary procedures that are required to fix the football situation, State Minister for Cabinet Affairs Sheikh Mohammad Al-Adbullah Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah told the press after the Cabinet’s meeting yesterday.
He added that these procedures should ensure eliminating all obstacles, promoting sports and to enabling athletes to practice their sports. FIFA suspended the Kuwait Football Association (KFA) last October after finding the government had interfered in the group’s affairs. Last Friday, the FIFA Congress voted to continue the suspension of Kuwait.
The Cabinet also listened to an explanation by Finance Minister Anas Al-Saleh, one that pertains to a report by Moody’s Corporation Investor’s Service, which placed Kuwait’s Aa2 long-term issuer rating on review for downgrade. Moody’s will review the rating in twelve months’ time, Saleh revealed. The Cabinet said that it is satisfied with Kuwait’s placing, adding that it will spare no effort to retain that placing through achieving financial reforms and economic development goals.
Letters
At the onset of the meeting held under chairmanship of Acting Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, the cabinet was apprised of a letter received by His Highness the Amir from Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz inviting him to attend the 27th Arab Summit due in Nouakchott next July.
The cabinet was also notified by a letter sent to His Highness the Amir from UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on ways of supporting the activities of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.
The ministers then addressed a message sent to His Highness the Amir from Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet inviting him to attend a meeting of the Programme of Action for the Least Developed Countries for the Decade due in Antalya between May 27-29, 2016. The cabinet was also notified of a letter to His Highness the Prime Minister from Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Costa inviting him to visit Portugal and hailing bilateral relations.
The Cabinet was informed who would make up Kuwait’s delegation to accompany His Highness the Amir to attend the World Humanitarian Summit scheduled for May 22-24 in Turkey. The delegation includes First Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, Deputy Prime Minister, Finance Minister and Acting Oil Minister Anas Khaled Al-Saleh, along with a number of Amiri Diwan and Foreign Ministry officials. The Cabinet voiced confidence that the summit would yield further cooperation towards humanitarian causes across the globe. Moreover, the Cabinet welcomed President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon’s visit to the country, wishing him a pleasant stay in Kuwait.
Yemeni talks
Meanwhile, the Cabinet was also informed of the progress of United Nations (UN) sponsored Yemeni peace talks in Kuwait, as it wished that a swift solution to the conflict would be reached in order to restore peace and stability in Yemen.
In addition, the Cabinet extended its condolences over the passing away of Member of the Parliament Hamad Abdullah Al-Joaan who played a positive role in serving his country through the podium of the parliament. The Cabinet also expressed condolence to the passing away of former General Staff of Kuwait Armed Forces retired Lieutenant General Abdulrahman Al-Othman, who died in the French Capital of Paris. It also discussed topic listed on the National Assembly’s agenda. Moreover, it tackled reports on the latest regional and international developments. – KUNA
