Kuwait-Netherlands rely on diplomacy to safeguard interests: Westhoff
KUWAIT CITY, May 1: Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Kuwait Laurens Westhoff praised the close historical ties between his country and the State of Kuwait, indicating these ties extend to more than 60 years of diplomatic and economic cooperation based on shared values and interests. In his speech at the Dutch National Day celebration, which coincided with the birthday of His Majesty King Willem-Alexander; Westhoff stressed that Kuwait and the Netherlands are two relatively small countries surrounded by larger powers; hence, they rely on diplomacy, soft power and economic cooperation to protect their national interests and defend the international order based on laws and agreements.
Assistant Foreign Minister for European Affairs Ambassador Sadiq Marafi and many diplomats were also present at the event. Westhoff continued to say that the two countries have stood together on many occasions in defense of the principles of sovereignty, territorial integrity, and non-violation of internationally recognized borders. He called to mind the participation of the Royal Netherlands Navy in the international coalition to liberate Kuwait in 1990/1991. He affirmed that these values continue to form the solid foundation of bilateral relations despite the current decline in respect for the rules of the international system and multilateralism.
He also reminisced on the celebrations in his country, where every city or village organizes popular events, disclosing that the King and his family participate annually in this occasion by visiting a different city. He pointed out that this affirms the royal family's connection to the people. He confirmed that these traditions have continued for more than 500 years; contributing to the building of a cohesive society characterized by creativity and innovation, particularly in agriculture, trade, and energy. He added that the Netherlands, like Kuwait, overlooks the sea and that the sea has been a bridge for trade and exploration for centuries.
He said the economic relations between his country and the Gulf region date back to the 17th century, when the Netherlands began trading textiles and spices with pearl merchants in Basra and Bahrain. 'In the mid-18th century, the Netherlands became the most active European partner in the Gulf. Trade was not just about exchanging goods, but also a means of understanding other cultures and strengthening relations between peoples, something humanity needs today more than ever,' he asserted. He also called for the common defense of a global system that allows small countries to flourish and guarantees freedom and prosperity for their people. He expressed his deep appreciation to the leadership and people of Kuwait for their close friendship, while extending gratitude to Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Ambassador Sheikh Jarrah Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and all the staff of the ministry for their continued support for bilateral relations. He confirmed that much has been achieved between the two countries, but the future holds even more opportunities, especially in the areas of food security, climate change, trade, investment, and shared values.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Kuwait Times
4 days ago
- Kuwait Times
Style or security? How culture shapes gold buying habits in Kuwait
Every community has its go-to gold, affected by tradition, resale value, aesthetics KUWAIT: As Eid approaches, it's easy to notice how different gold markets draw in people with different nationalities. According to local jewelers, one key factor drives these preferences: karat - the measure of gold's purity mixed with other metals. The availability of certain karats across shops not only impacts price, but also influences the jewelry's color, strength and the styles favored by each community. 'Each country tends to have its own distinct preference for gold karat,' said Ahmad Gad, a jeweler at Al-Mubarakiya Gold Souq, one of the most popular markets among diverse nationalities in Kuwait. He broke down the three most common karats in Kuwait and who typically prefers each: 'Indians usually go for the rich yellow of 22K gold. Arabs lean toward 21K for its shine. As for 18K, which has a softer glow, it's often chosen by people who like European styles — Filipinos, for example.' Ahmad Gad, a jeweler in Kuwait. A vendor shows a gold necklace to a customer at the gold exhibition. The Indian favorite Indian buyers are especially drawn to 22K gold, valuing both its high purity and cultural significance. 'For Indians, what matters most is purity. If it were practical, they'd choose 24K - but it's too soft for jewelry,' said Ayoub, an Indian gold salesman who has worked in Kuwait for seven years. Pure 24-karat gold, considered 100 percent gold, is typically reserved for bars and coins, as its softness makes it unsuitable for wearable, intricately designed jewelry. To increase durability, gold is alloyed with other metals, resulting in lower karats: 22K gold contains 91.7 percent pure gold, and is ideal for the ornate, heavily detailed pieces typical in Indian culture. 'Our classic Indian pieces can only be made with 22K,' said Naresh Kumar, a jeweler at Souq Al Wataniya in Kuwait City, which mainly serves Indian and Bengali customers. 'It's also the standard karat in India, so it's easier to resell there.' Gad added, 'Every community prefers gold that can be resold easily in their home country.' Smart investment Despite its cultural significance, 22K gold is less commonly stocked in Kuwait compared to 21K. You'll find 21K gold widely available in popular markets like Al-Mubarakiya, Hawally, Salmiya and Farwaniya. According to jewelers, 21K is the most sought-after karat among Arabs. With 87.5% purity, it offers a sweet spot between visual beauty and long-term value. '21K is ideal for those who want a beautiful ornament that also holds its value,' said Gad. 'It has a higher resale price compared to lower karats, especially if it's locally made Kuwaiti gold, free of decorative cloves.' Kuwait is known for its high-quality 21K gold, thanks in part to strong trade ties with the UAE, home to some of the Gulf's most skilled goldsmiths. This partnership enables Kuwait to import a wide variety of 21K designs in large quantities. Elegant, but less valuable By contrast, 18K gold is found in smaller quantities across Kuwait, mostly in the Salmiya Gold Souq, which caters largely to Filipino buyers. While 18K contains 75 percent pure gold and is often used for dainty, European-style pieces, jewelers say it carries the highest making charges and offers weaker resale value, making it less appealing to investment-focused shoppers. 'The lower the gold's karat, the harder it is to mold,' explained Kumar. 'Working with low karats like 18K takes more time and precision, which increases labor costs.' That added labor is reflected in the making charge — a markup applied to the price of gold per gram for craftsmanship, which doesn't contribute to the resale value. Still, 18K remains the go-to for many Filipino shoppers and others who prioritize aesthetics over return value. 'I prefer 18K because it's simpler and more elegant,' said Rachel, a Filipino customer. 'The higher-karat designs are too loud - too madame. Unlike 18K pieces which I can easily stack and wear daily without feeling it's too much. For many, gold is more than a fashion statement - it's financial security. 'Gold is the most affordable investment for me right now. Instead of wasting money, I buy gold. It's like my money is still there, just preserved in a different form,' said Nada Dawod, an Egyptian gold enthusiast. 'When I was younger, I loved 18K gold,' she said. 'But once I started buying gold with my own money, I switched to 21K. It has better resale value and comes with a lower making charge. Even if I like a design in 18K, I try to find a similar one in 21K.'
Kuwait Times
4 days ago
- Kuwait Times
Coral-rich Greek archipelago hopes to gain from trawler ban
As a reddish dawn broke over the tiny, coral-rich Greek archipelago of Fournoi, Manolis Mytikas's wooden fishing boat slowly glided home, his nets almost empty. The modest catch nevertheless quickly drew several islanders in search of fresh fish, a rarity in past years in this island chain in the northeastern Aegean Sea, which has fewer than 1,500 inhabitants in total. 'Today, there were two of us heading out to sea, and we caught some fish by chance,' said the 76-year-old fisherman, his skin deeply tanned by the Mediterranean sun. 'Yesterday, we earned 30 euros ($34). The day before yesterday, not a penny. Sometimes, we don't even have enough to eat,' he told AFP. But things could be looking up for this small corner of the Aegean Sea. Last month, the Greek government banned bottom trawling in the waters around the archipelago, to protect a recent discovery of exceptionally rich coral reefs. Greece is also outlawing bottom trawling in national marine parks by 2026 and in all protected marine areas by 2030, the first country in Europe to take such a step. Fishing is generally allowed in protected marine areas worldwide, often even by trawlers, which scrape the seabed with a huge funnel-shaped net. 'Finally!' Mytikas exclaimed when told of the ban. 'They've ravaged the sea. They plough the seabed and destroy everything.' At the island port, his colleague Vaggelis Markakis, 58, compared trawlers to 'bulldozers'. 'If we stop them from coming here, our sea will come back to life,' Mytikas said. 'The sea will be filled with fish again.' Research conducted in this archipelago by the conservation groups Under the Pole, which organizes diving expeditions in extreme environments, and Archipelagos, in collaboration with European scientific institutions, has highlighted the existence of major underwater animal populations. At depths between 60 and 150 meters (around 200 to 500 feet), scientists have documented over 300 species living on the seabed under minimal light. Fishing trawlers docked with "doors" (heavy metal that widen the net opening) at the port of Nea Michaniona. Workers operate next to a fishing trawler docked with "doors" (heavy metal that widen the net opening). Fishing trawlers docked at the port of Nea Michaniona. This photograph shows corals in the deep sea off the coast of the Greek island of Fournoi. This photograph shows corals in the deep sea off the coast of the Greek island of Fournoi. 'Underwater forests' 'What we discovered is beyond imagination - vast coral reefs dating back thousands of years, still intact,' gushed Anastasia Miliou, scientific director of Archipelagos. The sea floor-dwelling species discovered include vibrantly red gorgonians (Paramuricea clavata) and black corals (Antipathella subpinnata). 'When these organisms occur at high densities, they form true underwater forests,' said Lorenzo Bramanti, a researcher at the CNRS Laboratory of Ecogeochemistry of Benthic Environments. But these habitats are extremely sensitive. 'A single trawl pass is enough to raze them,' warned Stelios Katsanevakis, professor of oceanography at the University of the Aegean. And the damage can be potentially irreversible, added Bramanti. 'Once destroyed, these forests may take decades or even centuries to recover,' said the marine scientist, who has worked on corals in the Mediterranean, Caribbean and Pacific. 'No one doubts that cutting down a forest is an ecological disaster. The same is true for animal forests,' Bramanti said. Setting an example By banning bottom trawling around Fournoi, Bramanti hopes Greece will set an example for other Mediterranean countries, he said. 'We must act quickly, because these are among the last ecosystems still untouched by climate change,' given that they are located at depths greater than 70 meters, he said. 'And we risk losing them before we even truly understand them.' But the measure has left industrial fishing professionals fuming. HYT, There are around 220 bottom trawlers in Greece, and sector representatives complain restrictions on their activity are excessive 'We were not invited to any kind of discussion on this matter,' said Kostas Daoultzis, head of the trawler cooperative at the northern port of Nea Michaniona, one of the country's main fish markets. Daoultzis said the decisions were 'based on reports from volunteer organizations lacking scientific backing'. He said trawlers already avoid coral areas, which can damage their equipment. Fournoi fishermen counter that trawlers do fish in their waters, but turn off their tracking systems to avoid detection. Under pressure globally, trawling is likely to be on the agenda at a United Nations Ocean Conference next week in the French city of Nice. Daoultzis said he fears for the survival of his profession. 'Our fishing spaces keep shrinking. Our activity is under threat, and consumers will suffer - fish prices will skyrocket,' he warned. - AFP
Kuwait Times
5 days ago
- Kuwait Times
Iran says no nuclear deal if deprived of ‘peaceful activities'
CAIRO: Iran said Monday it will not accept a nuclear agreement that deprives it of what it called 'peaceful activities', a reference to uranium enrichment, as it pressed the United States for guarantees it would drop sanctions. Uranium enrichment has remained a key point of contention between the foes in talks to seal a nuclear deal, ongoing since April, with Iran defending what it says is its pursuit of a civil nuclear program but with the US side calling it a 'red line'. Speaking in Cairo, where he met the UN nuclear watchdog's chief Rafael Grossi, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said: 'If the goal is to deprive Iran of its peaceful activities, then certainly no agreement will be reached.' Araghchi insisted that Iran has 'nothing to hide' on its nuclear program. 'Iran has a peaceful nuclear program... we are prepared to provide this assurance to any party or entity,' he said. The remarks came after Grossi of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on Monday called for more transparency from Iran following a leaked report that showed Tehran had stepped up uranium enrichment. The IAEA report showed that Iran has ramped up production of uranium enriched up to 60 percent — close to the roughly 90 percent level needed for atomic weapons. 'There is a need for more transparency — this is very, very clear — in Iran, and nothing will bring us to this confidence (besides) full explanations of a number of activities,' Grossi said ahead of meeting Araghchi. Grossi added that some of the report's findings 'may be uncomfortable for some, and we are... used to being criticized'. Iran has rejected the report, warning it would retaliate if European powers that have threatened to reimpose nuclear sanctions 'exploit' it. 'Some countries are trying to abuse this agency to pave the way for escalation with Iran. I hope that this agency does not fall into this trap,' Araghchi said of the IAEA. Iran meanwhile pushed for the United States to drop sanctions that have crippled its economy as a condition for a nuclear agreement with President Donald Trump's administration. Araghchi said on Saturday that he had received 'elements' of a US proposal for a nuclear deal following five rounds of talks mediated by Oman. Both Araghchi and Grossi met Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi, who praised the US-Iran talks and called for 'de-escalation in order to prevent a slide into a full-fledged regional war'. On Monday, Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei told a news conference: 'We want to guarantee that the sanctions are effectively lifted.' 'So far, the American side has not wanted to clarify this issue,' he said. The US envoy in the nuclear talks said last month that Trump's administration would oppose any Iranian enrichment. 'An enrichment program can never exist in the state of Iran ever again. That's our red line. No enrichment,' Steve Witkoff told Breitbart News. Following a phone call with Witkoff the day before about the ongoing nuclear talks, Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty urged a peaceful solution and a nuclear-weapon-free Middle East, saying in Monday's press conference that 'the region is already experiencing enough problems and crises'. He warned that military confrontation would create 'a state of chaos from which no one will be spared'. Iran has vowed to keep enriching uranium 'with or without a deal' on its nuclear program. The United States has sent Iran a proposal for a nuclear deal that the White House called 'acceptable' and in Tehran's 'best interest' to accept, US media reported on Saturday. The New York Times, citing officials familiar with the diplomatic exchanges, said the proposal calls on Iran to stop all enrichment and suggests creating a regional grouping to produce nuclear power. — AFP Iran has held five rounds of talks with the United States in search of a new agreement to replace the deal with major powers that Trump abandoned during his first term in 2018. — AFP
