KUWAIT CITY, Nov 29, (KUNA): Pakistan is willing to pursue all venues of cooperation with the State of Kuwait in reflection of the strong and historic relations linking the two countries, Prime Minister of Pakistan Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar said on Wednesday. During a KUNA interview, Prime Minister Kakar said that the Kuwaiti leadership showed keen interest in developing and further strengthening the relationship. Kakar added that both countries needed to be more engaged, stating, “We are taking up this opportunity to develop this relation with the Kuwaiti people and government. There are many areas we can expand (ties) in from agriculture, food security, IT Defense area, and mining, and there are many areas where mutual interest can converge. From regional issues, global issues, climate change, and others.” He commended His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah for his “personality”, adding, “We enjoyed his openness, and his depth and honest understanding of the issues.” “We highly appreciate this kind of leadership that takes difficult questions and issues but comes up with a very reasonable, honest, and pragmatic approach.”

On currently signed agreements and Memorandums of Understanding (MoU), Kakar said, “There were more than a dozen MoU’s in different sectors from IT to agriculture to water interventions and we are expecting them not be the last it’s just the beginning of a new era.” On economic relations, he said that Kuwait, when it came to demography, is a small nation, but held an utmost important role in the region and global affairs. “And there is a huge transformation to modernize Kuwaiti economy and diversifying their investment portfolios,” he affirmed, adding, “Pakistan is the destination where they can take the diversification and exploit the region connectivity, our connectivity to the Chinese economy and central Asia and for us here in the GCC.” “The region is opening up, the region is awakening and I feel Kuwait got a pivotal central leadership role to play in that,” he pointed out. Prime Minister Kakar’s visit to Kuwait coincided with the 60th anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations.

Visit
He met during his visit with His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and met other Kuwaiti officials. The State of Kuwait and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan signed on Wednesday several agreements and Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) to bolster cooperation in various fields. This came after the meeting between First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Talal Khaled Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah and Prime Minister of Pakistan Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar. Prior to the signings, Sheikh Talal Khaled and Prime Minister Kakar held a meeting reviewing all possible venues to boost ties between Kuwait and Pakistan. The two officials also touched on issues pertaining to the region and the world, expressing a desire to coordinate efforts to achieve global peace and security. Post-meeting, the two officials oversaw the signing of several agreements and MoUs focusing on the fields of environmental protection, sustainable development, as well as cultural and technical cooperation. A MoU between the Foreign Ministries of both countries was signed to expand cooperation, coordination, and dialogue.

Kuwait's First Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Interior Sheikh Talal Khaled Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah received Wednesday Prime Minister of Pakistan Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar and his accompanying delegation at Bayan Palace. The Pakistani prime minister also met with the Minister of Commerce, Industry, and Minister of State of Youth Affairs Mohammad Al-Aiban, the Minister of Electricity, Water and Renewable Energy, the Acting Minister of Public Works and the Head of the honorary mission Dr. Jassim Al- Ustad, Minister of Justice and Minister of State for Housing Affairs Faleh Al-Rogbah, Finance Minister Fahad Al-Jarallah, Deputy Foreign Minister Sheikh Jarrah Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, and ambassador of Kuwait to Pakistan Nassar Abdulrahman Almutairi. Pakistan Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar and his accompanying delegation arrived in Kuwait on Tuesday for a two-day official visit. Upon arrival, the premier was received at Kuwait International Airport by the Minister of Electricity, Water and Renewable Energy, the Acting Minister of Public Works, and as the head of the honorary mission Dr. Jassim Mohammad Al-Ostad, senior state officials, and the ambassadors of the two countries.