LONDON, Sept 28: Kuwait’s Foreign Minister and State Minister for Cabinet Affairs Sheikh Dr. Ahmad Nasser Al-Mohammad Al-Sabah said on Monday he conveyed to the recently-appointed UK Foreign Secretary Elizabeth Truss the congratulations of Kuwait’s leadership on her new role. “Historic relations spanning close to 122 years bind Kuwait and the UK,” he told KUNA following talks with his counterpart in London.

In 2024, these “distinguished” bilateral relations will witness a “roadmap” for the years to come, with a vision to expand upon common interests in all sectors - economic, commercial, investment and educational, in particular. This will follow around 125 years of these “distinguished relations,” the minister added. Kuwait delved into the possibility of benefiting from UK expertise in the development of its healthcare, information technology and artificial intelligence sectors. On the regional scale, Kuwait’s foreign minister also expressed his country’s gratitude and appreciation for the UK government’s support of its successful efforts to mediate the Gulf rift.

The minister went on to discuss a number of current regional challenges, predominantly Yemen, alongside security and stability. He told the UK top diplomat that Kuwait appreciates London’s role in helping to resolve the Yemeni crisis, as well as its role to assist Iraq’s stability and support the peace process in the region. Both sides emphasised the need to commit to the principles of dialogue, non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries and good neighbourliness. Matching viewpoints were witnessed over all matters discussed, the minister added, saying both “share the keenness to give bilateral relations a larger momentum.” Separate talks between the Kuwaiti minister and UK Minister of State for the Middle East and North Africa, James Cleverly, highlighted achievements made by the UK-Kuwait Joint Steering Group, who meet at the level of undersecretaries every six months. These meetings, held for the 10th year in a row, outline the two countries’ commitment to boost their close bilateral relations, Kuwait’s foreign minister commented. For his part, Cleverly provided a briefing on preparations being made to host the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) at the Scottish city of Glasgow at the end of next month. , (KUNA)