KUWAIT CITY, Dec 14: Kuwait and the United States reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening their historic, strategic, and deep partnership in a joint statement issued on Friday. This statement followed the conclusion of the sixth round of the strategic dialogue between the two countries, held virtually from December 9 to 11, as a follow-up to the meeting between Foreign Minister Abdullah Al-Yahya and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Washington on September 30, 2024.

The statement emphasized that the strategic dialogue reinforced the shared understanding between the foreign ministers of both nations to enhance their historic partnership. It highlighted the bilateral cooperation based on common interests in regional stability, security, and prosperity, with the United States reiterating its commitment to Kuwait’s security.

The dialogue focused on several key areas, including defense, cybersecurity, trade, investment, health challenges, climate change, travel facilitation, educational and cultural partnerships, human rights, women’s empowerment, and artificial intelligence. It also underscored the enduring relations between the two countries, which have lasted for over 60 years, and celebrated the 33rd anniversary of Kuwait’s liberation during Operation Desert Storm.

The statement noted that over the three-day virtual meetings, representatives from both governments and experts participated, reflecting the depth of bilateral relations and cooperation opportunities. The two sides expressed their commitment to exploring additional areas of collaboration and formalizing agreements to expand on the existing frameworks between the two nations.

The discussions also covered shared international and regional priorities, such as Kuwait’s presidency of the Supreme Council of the Gulf Cooperation Council, bilateral development cooperation through the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development and the United States Agency for International Development, and joint development projects in Yemen and the East Jerusalem Hospital Network.

Both countries reaffirmed their support for a two-state solution to resolve the Palestinian issue, advocating for the establishment of an independent Palestinian state along the 1967 borders, with mutually agreed land swaps, and called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, the release of detainees and hostages, and increased humanitarian assistance to Gaza.

Kuwait expressed appreciation for US efforts in Lebanon that led to a cessation of hostilities and hoped these efforts would contribute to a ceasefire in Gaza and peace in the region. The two nations also emphasized Iraq’s commitment to Kuwait’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, urging Iraq to complete the demarcation of the maritime border in accordance with international law and the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

The statement further called for Iraq to honor the 2012 Kuwait-Iraq Agreement on Maritime Navigation in Khor Abdullah and expressed support for UN Security Council Resolution 2732 of 2024, which facilitates progress in resolving outstanding issues between Kuwait and Iraq, including the return of Kuwaitis and third-country nationals or their remains, and the return of Kuwaiti property and national archives.

Regarding Iran, the two countries stressed the importance of regional de-escalation, urging Iran to cease its proliferation of weapons to non-state actors, adhere to good neighborliness, resolve disputes peacefully, respect state sovereignty, and cooperate fully with the International Atomic Energy Agency on its nuclear program.

Both sides also expressed appreciation for their defense partnership, including Kuwait’s hosting of US forces, and commended the successful 15th round of the Kuwaiti-US Joint Military Committee, hosted by Kuwait in May 2024. They expressed their desire to continue regular meetings of the committee to foster closer defense relations.

The dialogue concluded with a focus on cybersecurity, combating terrorism, promoting human rights, and expanding investments in renewable energy, health security, and climate change mitigation. Both countries look forward to the seventh round of the strategic dialogue in 2025, to be held in the United States.