KUWAIT CITY, Jan 14: His Highness the Amir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah’s visit to the United Kingdom on Tuesday, at the personal invitation of King Charles III, marks a significant milestone in the 125-year-long history of close relations between the two countries.

This is the first visit by His Highness the Amir to the United Kingdom since he assumed power on December 20, 2023, following the passing of the late Amir Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah. Previously, His Highness had visited the UK four times as Crown Prince. His first visit was on September 18, 2022, when he represented the late Amir to offer condolences on the passing of Queen Elizabeth II, and met King Charles III. His second visit occurred on May 6, 2023, when he attended the coronation of King Charles as King of the United Kingdom. His third visit was on August 28, 2023, in response to an official invitation from British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, during which His Highness sponsored and attended the 70th-anniversary celebration of the Kuwait Investment Office in the UK. The fourth visit took place on October 24, 2023, following an invitation from King Charles III.

The current visit of His Highness the Amir, alongside reciprocal visits between the rulers of Kuwait and the United Kingdom, highlights the strength of the long-standing historical ties and close friendship between the two royal families and peoples. These visits signify the solid and continuously developing relations between the two nations in various fields.

The bilateral relationship is rooted in mutual respect, shared interests, and coordination on regional and global issues. The two countries have focused on strengthening political, economic, and diplomatic ties, investing in these connections to further solidify their relations.

Kuwait-UK relations have evolved continuously over the past decades, framed by agreements signed between the two countries in various fields. The first significant agreement was signed in January 1899, marking the start of official diplomatic relations. Since then, numerous milestones of cooperation and strategic partnerships have shaped the relationship.

Over the years, key visits have further cemented the relationship. The first Kuwaiti official visit to the UK was in October 1919 when Sheikh Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah traveled to London on behalf of the late ruler Sheikh Salem Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah to congratulate King George V on Britain’s victory in World War I. Sheikh Ahmad later visited the UK again in 1935 as the Amir of Kuwait. On the British side, the first royal visit to Kuwait occurred on February 12, 1979, when Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip visited in response to an invitation from the late Emir Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah.

The relationship remained stable throughout the first seven decades, but in 1961, when Sheikh Abdullah Al-Salem Al-Sabah took steps toward Kuwait's independence, it ushered in a new phase in the two countries' ties. On June 19, 1961, Sheikh Abdullah Al-Salem declared Kuwait’s independence and annulled the 1899 treaty with Britain. Despite this, Britain continued to support Kuwait's territorial integrity, sending military forces to defend Kuwait when it faced external threats.

During the 1990 Iraqi invasion of Kuwait, the United Kingdom was one of the first nations, alongside the United States, to oppose the invasion and participate in the military operation to liberate Kuwait.

The Kuwaiti-British Joint Steering Group, established in 2012, plays a key role in consolidating bilateral relations. It meets semi-annually to discuss various cooperation areas, including trade, culture, education, energy transition, climate change, food security, health (including pharmaceuticals), and digitization in healthcare, among other areas.

To further strengthen ties, both countries agreed in January 2024 to declare the year as the "Kuwaiti-British Partnership Year." This initiative follows the agreement signed on August 29, 2023, during His Highness the Amir’s visit to the UK when he was Crown Prince. A joint statement from the Kuwaiti and British Foreign Ministries in January emphasized the 125-year-long close relationship, which has grown through mutual support to confront regional and global challenges and promote shared values.

Through continuous high-level visits, joint strategic dialogues, and collaborative initiatives, Kuwait and the UK aim to enhance their relations, develop a roadmap for the future, and achieve common goals, strengthening the partnership for the benefit of both nations and their peoples.