ADDIS ABABA, July 15, (KUNA): His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah delivered in Addis Ababa Sunday a speech to the African Union’s (AU) 19th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of States.

In the presence of President of Republic of Benin and Chairman of the current session of the AU Summit Dr. Yayi Boni, Chairman of the AU Commission Jean Ping, Secretary-General of the Arab League Nabil El-Arabi, and Deputy Secretary General of the United Nations (UN) Jan Eliasson, Sheikh Sabah said “I am pleased to extend my sincere thanks and gratitude and to express my happiness and pride to all of you for inviting us to attend this important summit, which is being held in Africa, a continent which has an integral and effective role on global level.”

This summit, the Amir affirmed, is being pursued by African peoples’ aspirations filled with hope for a future dominated by stability, prosperity, and wellbeing.

The Amir thanked the government and people of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia for their hospitality.

“We meet today in this ancient capital, recalling with appreciation and gratitude the stance of African countries in supporting the right of Kuwait during the Iraqi invasion, a stance which is consistent with the historical struggle of our brothers in the African continent against injustice and tyranny.

“Your countries reflected through these magnificent stances the depth of ties connecting us, the unity of the principles and norms that bind us. We must work on all the issues that might enhance our relations and our partnership to the desired level that is appropriate for handling such situations,” said the Amir.

The Amir stressed this summit had convened to present to the whole world a shining evidence of the vitality of this union.

He said that the summit’s interaction with the developments and events in the contemporary world and its effective contribution in the development of concepts and steps to counteract challenges reflected the importance of the AU.

He noted that throughout the past years, the African Union has realized several achievements in its path toward sustainable development through shared visions and consensus, particularly in building manpower capabilities in order to have the lead in the exploitation of natural resources that abound in (your) continent, adding that there was no doubt that the promotion of intra-African trade represents a major economic force that imposed a change in the way the world deals with Africa.

Sheikh Sabah said that “in this context I would like to point out that the State of Kuwait has realized the importance of development and cooperation for the benefit of the people and for that reason we established Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development (KFAED), which has spread its activities to 48 States out of 50 member countries of the African Union.” KFAED contributed to financing projects in different sectors including agriculture, transport, energy, water, sanitation, health, education, and others with the total spending on these activities exceeded $6.4 billion, in addition to Kuwait’s aid and grants to the member countries of the Union, which is estimated at about $120 million to build their capacities.

In 1996, the Fund participated in the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) initiative to ease the debt burden on states, and was able to reduce the debts for 24 countries of the Union.

The Amir said that Kuwait also launched the “decent life initiative” by establishing a fund with a capital of $100 million to help countries meet the basic requirements in view of the difficulties resulting from the global food crisis that erupted in 2007 and 2008, followed by the financial crisis in late 2008.

Kuwait also contributed to several funds that were established in Africa to fight hunger and poverty in amounts exceeding $300 million, and committed to an amount of $500 million at the donors conference for East Sudan.

On the regional happenings, HH Sheikh Sabah stated that “we followed with great interest the presidential elections in Egypt, where people exercised their democratic rights in a civilized manner, reflecting the rich culture and civilization of the Egyptian society. We congratulate President Mohamed Morsi for winning the trust of his people.”

Kuwait also followed, with contentment, the positive developments achieved in both Tunisia and Libya, wishing all the success to the leaderships in their endeavors towards achieving the aspirations of their peoples.

Regarding the situation in Somalia, the Amir called for the necessity of collective work and unified effort to bring security and stability to Somalia to return this country as an active member in the Arab and regional arenas.

On the Middle East peace process, Sheikh Sabah indicated that peace shall not be achieved unless Israel was pressured into ceasing settlement activity, and the resolutions of international legitimacy are
implemented to enable the establishment of an independent Palestinian state, on the principle of land for peace and the Arab Peace Initiative.

As for the situation in Syria, the Amir said “it’s imperative for the regime to meet the demands of its people, and implement the six-point initiative of the Joint Envoy of the United Nations and the Arab League, Kofi Annan, to stop the bloodshed, and to preserve Syria from sliding into civil war.”

The Amir also addressed the Kuwaiti quest for membership as an observer at the African Union and said that “thanks to Allah and to your support, is but an affirmation of the awareness of the State of Kuwait of the political, economic and cultural importance of Africa.

“We eagerly look forward to meet you in Kuwait next year in a new round of our Arab-African joint work represented in the Arab-African Summit. Preparation for that summit already commenced out of the awareness of the importance of joint work between our countries. We understand the magnitude of responsibility entrusted to us, and we strive to ensure the achievement of the anticipated results.”

“I have followed with admiration the progress of the construction of the new headquarters of the African Union in the capital Addis Ababa, completed in the beginning of this year, which is an architectural work of art. As a contribution from the State of Kuwait in the processing of this edifice to be ready for operation, I announce that the State of Kuwait will donate the cost of equipping the headquarters of the General Commission of the African Union with all requirements.” “In conclusion, we wish your summit the best to achieve your anticipated hopes and aspirations.”

Leaders and organization representatives at the launch of the African Union Assembly welcomed the attendance of the Amir.

The Arab League Secretary General Nabil Al-Arabi, in his keynote speech, stressed the importance of HH the Amir of Kuwait’s attendance of the African Union (AU) Assembly, noting its relevance to the Arab world’s commitment to Africa.

The Amir, meanwhile, received Sunday in Addis Ababa Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi.
The meeting, held on the sidelines of the 19th African Union Summit, focused on means to strengthen the friendship bonds and bolster cooperation between the two Arab nations.

The Amir also congratulated President Morsi on winning the Egyptian people’s confidence, wishing him success in his tenure and stability and prosperity for Egypt.

This is the first meeting between the two leaders since the inauguration of Egypt’s first democratically-elected President Morsi on June 30.