KUWAIT: Kuwait's Foreign Minister Sheikh Dr Ahmad Nasser Al-Mohammad Al-Sabah and his visiting French counterpart Jean-Yves Le Drian held yesterday a meeting where they discussed bolstering ties and latest regional and international developments. A statement by the Foreign Ministry said that Sheikh Dr Ahmad and Le Drian, who is on an official visit to Kuwait, also discussed mutual and global efforts to counter the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19).

Sheikh Dr Ahmad lauded cooperation with France on different fields, affirming that the State of Kuwait was eager to seek further bolstering of relations. Likewise, the French Foreign Minister commended the level of relations with the State of Kuwait, expressing similar sentiments of seeking more venues of cooperation. Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Khaled Suleiman Al-Jarallah and other Kuwaiti and French officials were present at the meeting.

Meanwhile, Sheikh Dr Ahmad Nasser Mohammad Al-Sabah and Britain's Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab discussed yesterday bilateral cooperation vis-a-vis developments in the region. The two officials discussed over the phone bilateral relations at all levels, and cited the 120th anniversary of the establishment of the "historic relationship," the foreign ministry said in a statement.

Sheikh Dr Ahmad and Raab voiced relief for the continuous meetings of the joint steering committee, which discussed "important and vital" issues as well as contributing to the strategic partnership, it said. They also discussed cooperation against the coronavirus pandemic, as well as supporting international efforts to curb the virus. The ministry said the top diplomats have identical views over political developments in the region, as well as regional and international issues.

Sheikh Dr Ahmad Nasser Al-Sabah also had a phone call with his Yemeni counterpart Mohammad Al-Hadhrami on Wednesday, during which he reiterated Kuwait's commitment to the security and stability of Yemen amid the impoverished country's lingering civil war. Kuwait supports all international efforts, including measures the Yemeni government has taken to get the country's warring parties on the same page, aiming to reach a decisive solution to the conflict, the minister said.

The humanitarian catastrophe in Yemen, exacerbated by a recent cluster of coronavirus, can only end through a solution that works "within the frameworks" of the Gulf initiative, Yemen's national dialogue and relevant UN security resolutions, he added. Yemen's Foreign Minister then explained to his Kuwaiti opposite number the latest developments in his country, thanking Kuwait for standing by Yemen through this crisis. - KUNA