KUWAIT CITY, Jan 29: Kuwait and the United States renewed their joint commitment to boosting stability and security within the region, as well as bolstering joint interests. This came in joint statement following fifth round of strategic dialogue between the US and Kuwait, inaugurated by US Secretary of State, Anthony Blinken, and Kuwait’s Foreign Minister and State Minister for council of ministers affairs Sheikh Dr. Ahmad Nasser Al-Sabah in January 26th, Washington D.C.

The two parties reiterated commitment to defensive collaboration, cybersecurity, bilateral trade and investment as well as health challenges, climate change, travel facilitation, cultural educational partnership and the improvement of human rights and women empowerment. It also indicated that the two officials discussed the strong bilateral relations, recalling the 30th anniversary of Kuwait’s liberation beginning with desert storm operation. The two top diplomats also handled issues of international and regional priorities; especially that Kuwait is president of Arab league on ministerial level, as well as developmental collaboration in terms of global financial priorities via Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development (KFAED).

They commended the advanced technical discussions held between the US agency for international development and KFAED in regards to proposal of collaboration to support economic rejuvenation in Yemen. The US earlier on Thursday affirmed that Kuwait has been a “vital partner across any number of fronts.” State Department Spokesperson Ned Price told reporters during a briefing that the Fifth US-Kuwait Strategic Dialogue, which concluded here on Wednesday, came “right on the heels… of 60 years of diplomatic relations with Kuwait, 30 years since the United States and a coalition came together to liberate Kuwait… So it was an auspicious occasion.” He added that “it was also an opportunity” for Secretary of State Blinken to welcome Kuwaiti Foreign Minister and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs Sheikh Dr. Ahmad Nasser after Blinken’s visit to Kuwait last year. “Kuwait has been a vital partner across any number of fronts,” he affirmed. The US commends the tremendous assistance that our Kuwaiti partners offered concerning the Afghanistan situation, he said.

Role
He continued “We have spoken of the important role that Kuwait has played as, in many ways, a regional bridge helping to heal the rift in the GCC, helping to address the situation in Lebanon, a key partner in the Global Coalition to Defeat Daesh.” He added, “There was much to discuss and Lebanon and the other areas where Kuwait has played a very helpful, constructive role was certainly on the agenda.” “We have a very close relationship with Kuwait. There is deep and regular coordination with our Kuwaiti partners,” he remarked.

On Iraq, the statement stressed the importance of a stable Iraqi government, devoid of foreign interference, expressing support to making progress in solving maritime border issues. The statement also praised Kuwait’s generous support to connecting Iraq to the GCC electric grid. On Syria, the two affirmed the need to execute Security Council resolution number 2254 for the year 2015 in regards to ending Syrian conflict and achieving complete and lasting stability.

The United States and Kuwait reiterated their commitment to defeating the so-called the Islamic State (IS) and their stance against Iran’s destabilizing influence, as they are key partners in the global coalition against IS. Regarding Yemen, both governments asserted the necessity of bringing peace into the country and ensuring free influx of humanitarian aid to the Yemeni people. When it came to the Afghani matter, the US lauded Kuwait’s valuable contribution to the transportation of American citizens and others from Afghanistan. The two countries expressed appreciation for the bilateral defensive partnership and Kuwait’s long-lasting hosting of American forces, adding that both governments aspire for a safer and more secure future for the region, through continuous updating of Kuwaiti armed forces, and the sturdy partnership with the US. The two sides looked into threats facing the region, and ways to bolster defensive partnership through improvements, training, drills and operations, clarifying that the two reaffirmed importance of collaborating to counter terrorism.

The statement also added that the US expressed its appreciation for Kuwait’s ongoing commitment to bolstering antimoney laundering practices, as well as countering terrorism through data exchange and negotiations with the US Justice Department, while also boosting joint work against financiers of terrorism via several congregations including Terrorist Financing Targeting Center. The two countries voiced support for increasing data exchange to enhance passengers and cargo search, in an effort to face global threats, following the signing of a letter of intent on cooperation in cybersecurity in 2018., (KUNA)