MOSCOW: Kuwait and Russia’s friendly relationship needs to be taken to the heights of partnership and integration, Kuwait’s chief lawmaker Marzouq Al-Ghanem told Russia’s upper house yesterday. Bilateral relations between the two nations, which began in 1963, have been “distinguished” in spite of the difficulties due to the Cold War period, which polarized nations in East or West camps, said the National Assembly Speaker.

Ghanem’s three-day visit, in response to Federation Council Chairwoman Valentina Matviyenko’s invitation, comes to generate “more solid and deeper-rooted” relations, he said. “I am not speaking about relations that are just political, economic or related to energy cooperation. I am talking about cultural, art-related, academic and sports-related ties. We want to learn from Russia’s soft power, from its universities, scientific and educational institutions, from its sports and youth-related institutions,” he added, mentioning his admiration of the great works of Russian writers and thinkers like Tolstoy, Pushkin and Chekhov.

The chief lawmaker lamented the “obstacles, lack of cohesion and misunderstandings due to distance and inaccurate portrayals” between Russia and the Arab region. Both need to work “collectively and seriously” in the face of global injustices like terrorism and Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories, he added. “Desperation, poverty, loss of hope and identity, class separation, lack of governance, suppression, the spread of hate speech and xenophobia are all forms of terrorism. The Palestinian people are being targeted through these means on a day-to-day basis,” he said, in reference to Israel’s occupation of their lands.

On this, Ghanem commended Russia’s “principal and solid” role in support of Palestinian and Middle East affairs, particularly its veto against a resolution that recognizes illegal Israeli sovereignty over the occupied Golan Heights. “This stance (by Russia) is one we appreciate and are grateful for,” Ghanem highlighted.

Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Federation Council of Russia Konstantin Kosachev praised the speech delivered by Ghanim. In a statement to KUNA, Kosachev said Ghanem’s speech was “constructive and important”, and was admired by lawmakers who expressed their applause. Ghanem’s speech was not a traditional one, but rather an indication of the deep relationship between the two sides, he added.

He praised the important partnership between Kuwait and Russia in the field of international relations, high-level political dialogue, growing trade, and economic relations. Kosachev stressed Ghanem’s visit to Russia will strengthen parliamentary relations between the two sides, and will enhance cooperation and coordination between their parliaments in international forums. – KUNA