ShareKUWAIT: HH the Amir Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and his accompanying delegation returned to Kuwait on Wednesday after a state visit to Egypt. HH the Amir was seen off by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi and senior Egyptian and Kuwaiti officials. HH the Amir sent a cable of thanks to Sisi expressing his sincere thanks and appreciation for the warm welcome and hospitality during the state visit. HH the Amir said that the visit reflected deep and distinguished ties between the two countries and peoples, and aimed to strengthen fruitful and constructive cooperation. HH the Amir also voiced his deepest gratitude to Sisi for awarding him the Order of the Nile.
During his first state visit to Egypt, HH the Amir held summit talks with President Sisi on Tuesday. Both leaders highlighted the importance of reaching an agreement between the Zionist occupation authorities and Palestinian groups on a durable ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and ensuring unhindered delivery of relief aid to the Palestinian people under UN Security Council Resolution 2720.
They stated opposition to the ongoing Zionist military operations in Gaza and plans for expanding the operations to Rafah, according to a joint statement released following the talks. Both sides warned that Zionist malpractices risk expanding the scope of the conflict to other parts of the Middle East and jeopardizing the security of the region and world peace. They urged the international community to shoulder their responsibility for finding a fair settlement to the Palestine issue based on the two-state solution and establishing the State of Palestine within the borders of June 4, 1967 with East Jerusalem as its capital.
They stated unequivocal rejection of Zionist attempts to liquidate the Palestine cause and serious violations of international humanitarian law through forced displacement of the Palestinian people from their own land in Gaza and the West Bank. They reaffirmed support of the legitimate right of Palestinian refugees to return to their homeland, pursuant to UN General Assembly Resolution 194. Both sides reiterated the vital role of the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), called for supporting its budget and rejected the cynical witch-hunt targeting the aid agency.
HH the Amir and Sisi hailed the growing, deep-rooted and historical relationship between their two sisterly countries on the state-to-state and people-to-people levels, noting that this relationship featured reciprocal obligations, exchange of support and full solidarity at critical moments, which materialized shared commitment to protection of each other’s interests and joint Arab security. The Kuwaiti side applauded the unprecedented development of Egypt in all areas, and commended Egyptian efforts to improve the investment atmosphere.
The Egyptian president appreciated the care for the Egyptian community in Kuwait. Based on a shared desire to enhance trade ties and joint investment, both sides tasked competent agencies to arrange for the 13th session of the Higher Joint Commission on Cooperation, according to the joint statement. Both sides commended coordination and reciprocal support in international arenas, which gives momentum to the common interests, recalling Kuwait’s backing of Dr Khaled Al-Anani - the Egyptian candidate for UNESCO Director General, and Egypt’s support to Kuwait’s membership at the UN Human Rights Council (HRC) in 2024-2026.
Both sides hailed the close political coordination between them regarding regional and international issues of common concern, highlighting the importance of promoting the culture of peace, dialogue, development and coexistence, and favoring diplomacy as a means of resolution of conflicts in the Middle East.
Regarding Libya, the Egyptian and Kuwaiti leaders underscored the importance of respect for the sovereignty, territorial safety and unity of the Arab country, and stated opposition to all forms of foreign interference in its domestic affairs. They reiterated support to inter-Libyan dialogue aiming to reach a political settlement and arrange for presidential and parliamentary elections as early as possible in keeping with the provisions of the 2015 Skhirat political accord, the constitutional declaration and relevant UN Security Council resolutions.
On the civil strife in Sudan, both sides rejected foreign interferences and stressed the need of Sudanese-led political settlement to the dispute, away from any external diktats or pressures. They urged protecting the national state institutions of Sudan from collapse in collaboration with regional actors such as the African Union and the Arab League. They recognized the need of supporting the neighbors of Sudan, including Egypt, which were affected by the conflict and the ensuing influx of refugees, the joint statement noted.
HH the Amir reaffirmed full support to Egypt’s right to water security as an integral part of Arab water security, renewing solidarity with Egypt in whatever measures it might take to protect its interests against any unilateral moves to plunder the Nile waters. Highlighting the importance of protecting the security and stability of maritime navigation under the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, both sides urged finalizing the delineation of the Kuwait-Iraqi maritime borders beyond Mark 162 in keeping with the UNSC Resolution 833 (1993).
The talks also dealt with the Kuwait-Iraq agreement regulation navigation through Khor Abdullah waterway, which was signed on April 29, 2012 and came into force on Dec 5, 2013. After being endorsed by Kuwait and Iraq, the document as well as the appended security protocol of 2008 and map were lodged to the UN on Dec 18, 2013. Regarding Durra field, Kuwait and Egypt affirmed that the field lies entirely in the territorial waters of Kuwait and the hydrocarbon wealth in the adjacent submerged area is shared by Kuwait and Saudi Arabia away from any third party, based on signed agreements. – KUNA
