Kuwait hosts Egypt's president
KUWAIT CITY, April 14: Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi arrived in Kuwait Monday on a state visit. His Highness the Amir, Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, along with His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, received the Egyptian President and his accompanying delegation at the Amiri Airport. Acting Prime Minister Sheikh Fahad Yousef Saud Al-Sabah, Minister of Amiri Diwan Affairs Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah, Deputy Premier and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs Shireedah Al-Mousherji and Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdullah Al-Yahya were also among the audience. Minister of Defense and Acting Minister of Interior Sheikh Abdullah Ali Abdullah Al-Salem Al-Sabah is heading the Mission of Honor accompanying the distinguished guest.
Upon arrival, the national anthems of both countries were played. His Highness the Amir greeted the Egyptian delegation before artillery fired a 21-gun salute for President El-Sisi. Meanwhile, Kuwait's Ambassador to Egypt Ghanem Al-Ghanem, earlier described the upcoming visit of Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi to Kuwait as historic, emphasizing that it comes at a time of great sensitivity for the region. In a statement to KUNA today, Ambassador Al-Ghanem said the visit reflected the depth and strength of the bilateral relations between Kuwait and Egypt. He added that the relationship was formally institutionalized following Kuwait's declaration of independence, with the exchange of ambassadors and the establishment of official diplomatic relations. Cooperation has since expanded to include political, economic, cultural, and other areas under the framework of the Joint Higher Committee, which held its 13th session in Cairo last September, chaired by the foreign ministers of both countries.
The ambassador highlighted Egypt's longstanding support for Kuwait's independence and sovereignty, as well as its prompt recognition of Kuwait as a state and its support for its membership in the Arab League, and he praised the consistent alignment and coordination between the two countries on key regional and international issues. Al-Ghanem also recalled landmark moments in the bilateral relationship, noting Kuwait's unwavering support for Egypt during the 1967 and 1973 wars, and Egypt's stance during the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait. He emphasized that economic and trade relations have seen significant growth in recent years, with Egypt becoming a key destination for Kuwaiti investments in both the public and private sectors. There are now over 1,000 Kuwaiti companies operating in Egypt, with investments exceeding USD 20 billion across sectors such as infrastructure, roads, tourism, and agriculture, making Kuwait Egypt's third-largest Arab trading partner.
The ambassador also highlighted the important developmental role of the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development (KFAED) in Egypt, which has completed 50 projects in various sectors, and adding that new projects are currently being studied for future implementation. He praised Egypt's recent economic reforms and legislative modernization, which have made it an attractive destination for foreign investment, noting the growing presence of major international companies in Egypt, as well as the increasing number of Kuwaiti private sector projects and companies operating in the Egyptian market in recent years. Egypt's Ambassador to Kuwait, Osama Shaltout, praised the warm welcome extended by His Highness the Amir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah for the upcoming state visit of Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi to Kuwait. In an interview with KUNA, the Ambassador noted that the visit comes at a particularly critical time, both in terms of the development of bilateral relations between Cairo and Kuwait, and amid ongoing regional and international developments that demand unity and solidarity among Arab and Islamic nations. He stated that the meeting between the two leaders provides a valuable opportunity to exchange views and consult on ways to strengthen bilateral cooperation in all fields, particularly investment and trade, which are key priorities for both countries.
The Ambassador highlighted the directives of the political leadership in both Egypt and Kuwait to boost investment, trade, and economic cooperation in a manner that benefits both nations and contributes to achieving their respective development goals. Ambassador Shaltout added that the high-level meeting would also include the exchange of proposals and ideas on key regional issues, most notably the Palestinian cause, the Israeli occupation's aggression in Gaza and the West Bank, and the situations in Syria and Lebanon, as well as developments in Sudan, Libya, and Yemen. He noted that Egypt and Kuwait hold near-identical positions on these matters, reflecting the alignment of their foreign policies with international law, principles of justice, and shared human values. In response to a question regarding the key topics to be discussed during the visit, the Ambassador said the summit would include talks on ways to further enhance and develop bilateral relations, especially in light of favorable opportunities to expand investment and trade between Egypt and Kuwait. He pointed to tangible progress in bilateral relations in multiple sectors, particularly investment and trade, as well as energy, tourism, culture, and labor, all of which are witnessing steady growth. On the role both nations play in advancing joint Arab action amid ongoing challenges, Shaltout stated that Egypt and Kuwait pursue foreign policies defined by moderation and wisdom, 'which creates a pivotal role for them in strengthening joint Arab action, especially in light of the multiple challenges facing the Arab region.' He added that both Kuwait and Egypt consistently work to unify Arab positions and bring together divergent views, whether through the Arab League or via independent initiatives, always emphasizing political solutions and dialogue over military confrontation. (KUNA)
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