BRUSSELS: Kuwait has once again stressed its commitment and determination to continue support to the Syrian people and renewed calls for a political solution to the Syrian crisis. This was expressed by Kuwait’s Ambassador to the European Union, Belgium and NATO Jassem Al-Budaiwi during a video event on Syria organized by the EU Tuesday evening. He stressed on the prominent and important Kuwaiti role since the outbreak of the Syrian crisis, and noted that the first three donor conferences organized by Kuwait on Syria are the core of the ongoing conferences on Syria.

He said Kuwait?s support for the brotherly Syrian people continues from sincere intentions to end their suffering and enjoy security and stability. Budaiwi said Kuwait has always fulfilled its obligations towards the Syrian people at home and abroad, and continues to do so. He expressed hope that international efforts will continue to support the Syrian people, particularly in the current coronavirus pandemic crisis.

Budaiwi also hoped these efforts would lead to the start of a political process and facilitate the entry of humanitarian aid to the Syrian people, especially during the tenth year of the Syrian crisis. The meeting titled “Humanitarian access to Syria” was a side event ahead of the fourth Brussels conference on supporting the future of Syria and the region organized by the EU that will take place on June 30.

Meanwhile, speaking to KUNA, Budaiwi said Kuwait’s participation in the event comes in line with its commitments to help the Syrian people and in line with its commitment to work with the international community to help ease the suffering of the Syrian people. The EU invitation to Kuwait is in recognition of the role that Kuwait has played ever since the Syrian crisis broke out and in line with all humanitarian efforts by Kuwait all over the world under the leadership of Hh the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, who has been declared as the humanitarian leader of the world.

The activities that Kuwait does under his auspices has a special place in every diplomat’s heart and we do our best to fulfill the commitments of HH the Amir, he added to KUNA. The counselor of Kuwait’s embassy in Brussels Fahd Al-Jaimaz also participated in the online event.

Meanwhile, Iraqi and World Bank officials discussed Wednesday how to benefit from funds raised at the Kuwait pledging conference to help Iraq confront the coronavirus. Minister of Planning Khaled Battal discussed in a videoconference with representatives of the World Bank and donor countries how to use the pledge made at the 2018 conference to support cash-strapped Iraq fight the pandemic, a ministry statement said.

Battal called for quick action to boost the response against the virus. The World Bank officials said the bank is ready to support Iraq to address financial problems as well as fight the pandemic, coupled with reconstruction. The two sides called for improving financial management, developing digital skills in the educational sector, developing social protection systems and creating jobs. — KUNA