Latest news with #SabahKhaledAl-HamadAl-Sabah
Arab Times
6 hours ago
- Politics
- Arab Times
Crown Prince concludes landmark visit to Japan
TOKYO, May 31: His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah departed early on Saturday the Japanese city of Osaka following an official visit. His Highness the Crown Prince was seen off at the airport by the Minister of Information, Culture and Minister of State for Youth Affairs Abdulrahman Al-Mutairi, the State of Kuwait Ambassador to Japan Sami Al-Zamanan and the Japanese Ambassador to Kuwait Mukai Kenichiro. His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al- Hamad Al-Sabah sent on Saturday a thank you message to the Japanese Emperor Naruhito. His Highness Crown Prince expressed his gratitude for the warm reception during his official visit to Japan, thanking Emperor Naruhito on behalf of himself and his delegation. He highlighted that this warm welcome reflects the strong historic ties between the two countries, nurtured by His Highness the Amir of Kuwait Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al- Jaber Al-Sabah. His Highness the Crown Prince also appreciated the positive Kuwaiti-Japanese discussions on mutual interests and emphasized the importance of expanding cooperation to elevate bilateral relations, benefiting both nations and addressing global challenges. In conclusion, he wished Emperor Naruhito continued good health and success, and further progress and prosperity for Japan and its people. His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al- Hamad Al-Sabah also addressed a message of identical sentiments to the Japanese Crown Prince Fumihito, noting that he was deeply moved by the warm hospitality that mirrored the close and historic relations between the State of Kuwait and Japan. He noted that the visit to Japan was a significant step for bolstering the bilateral ties, the strategic partnerships, and affirming the resolve to expand this partnership and promote it at various levels. His Highness the Crown Prince wished him utmost good health and success and for his people more progress and prosperity. His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, upon conclusion of his official visit to Japan, sent on Saturday a message to Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, expressing deep gratitude for the well-organized reception for him and his entourage. His Highness the Crown Prince thanked the prime minister for the well-organized and warm reception during his presence in Japan, noting that the visit depicted depth of the distinguished and solid bonds that date back to 60 years ago. These close relations are of prior concern for His Highness the Amir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al- Sabah, he said to the premier. This visit was an opportunity to discuss regional and international issues of common concern, expand the bilateral partnership in various sectors, and promote it to a more comprehensive level, he added. The freshly concluded visit by His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah to Japan (May 28-31) has successfully pushed for the constructive development of the historic ties, said Japanese Ambassador to Kuwait Mukai Kenichiro on Saturday. In a statement, obtained by KUNA, following the end of His Highness the Crown Princes visit, Ambassador Mukai said 'I am also pleased to express our pride in His Highness's successful visit to Japan 'where he met with His Majesty the Emperor Naruhito, the Crown Prince (Murihito of) Akishino, and the Prime Minister Ishiba, and the two countries have concurred to upgrade our bilateral relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.' During His Highness' visit, five memoranda of understanding were signed, the Ambassador added. 'Through the MoC (Memorandum of Cooperation) on Training of Diplomats between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kuwait, 'I hope the cooperation between the two Ministries will be further strengthened,' he said. 'The two countries have agreed on the comprehensive cooperation in the field of electricity, water, and renewable energy through signing the MOC between the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) of Japan and the Ministry of Electricity, Water and Renewable Energy of the State of Kuwait,' said the Ambassador. Ambassador Mukai said, 'the MoC on Direct Investment between the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) and the Kuwait Foreign Direct Investment Agency was also signed, which I hope will facilitate the further expansion of the investment from Japanese companies into Kuwait in the future.' 'We are optimistic that this visit and its outcomes will serve to strengthen the bonds of friendship and cooperation, building upon the strong and enduring relationship between Japan and Kuwait, founded on shared values and mutual interests,' he affirmed. Earlier today (Saturday), His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Khaled concluded his visit to Japan, departing from the city of Osaka and addressing messages to the emperor and the crown prince, expressing sincere gratitude for the warm hospitality and affirming that the visit constituted a substantial push the bilateral relations. On Friday, His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Khaled, during his official visit to Japan, visited Expo 2025 Osaka. Accompanied by senior Kuwaiti official, he started his tour of the expo with a visit to the pavilion of the hosts, where the Japanese officials briefed him on the exhibits that reflect their history, culture and civilization.(KUNA)
Arab Times
2 days ago
- Politics
- Arab Times
New bilateral pacts fortify Kuwait-Japan partnership
KUWAIT'S CROWN PRINCE MEETS JAPANESE EMPEROR NARUHITO, PM TOKYO, May 29: His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah met in Tokyo, Thursday morning, with Japanese Emperor Naruhito. His Highness the Crown Prince conveyed greetings and best wishes of welfare from His Highness the Amir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah to Emperor Naruhito and the Japanese people. The meeting focused on the close historic relations between the two countries in the past six decades, which saw great leaps in various fields, reflecting the aspirations of people in both countries. Later, His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al- Hamad Al-Sabah held an official round of talks Thursday with Japanese Prime Minister, Shigeru Ishiba, in Tokyo. The talks were preceded by an official reception ceremony for His Highness the Crown Prince by the Japanese Prime Minister, which included a military parade and the playing of the national anthems of the countries. During the reception, His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, expressed his sincere thanks and appreciation for the warm welcome and generous hospitality and conveyed the best greetings of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, to Japan and its friendly people. His Highness affirmed Kuwait's desire to enhance the bilateral ties between the two countries to reach the level of a strategic partnership. Further, His Highness lauded Japan's supportive stance for Kuwaiti rights during the brutal Iraqi invasion of Kuwait in 1990, recalling the historical relations that have bound the two friendly countries since 1958. In turn, the Japanese Premier welcomed the official visit of His Highness the Crown Prince, praising the depth of the historical relations that bind the two friendly countries and peoples. The latest regional and global developments were touched on during the talks. The talks were attended by the official delegation accompanying His Highness the Crown Prince. A signing ceremony was held during the visit, where Kuwait and Japan formalised several agreements and Memoranda of Cooperation (MoCs), overseen by His Highness the Kuwaiti Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah and Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba. The ceremony reflected the two countries' keenness to strengthen and develop the existing bilateral cooperation between them in various vital fields. Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdullah Al-Yahya and members of the official delegation attended the event. The State of Kuwait and Japan agreed to upgrade their bilateral relations to a 'comprehensive strategic partnership,' which reflects the depth of the relationship and opens new horizons for cooperation. The agreement is a fruit of the official visit by His Highness the Crown Prince of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah to Japan on May 28-31, a press release from the Kuwaiti Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Thursday. His Highness the Crown Prince has held talks with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba on ways to strengthen the relations in various vital areas and serve the mutual interests of both nations amid regional and international changes. They agreed that upgrading the bilateral relations in the political, economic and humanitarian fields materialises both nations' shared commitment to enhancing security, stability and prosperity on regional and international scales, the statement noted. To conclude the day's engagements, Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba held a banquet in honour of His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah and his accompanying delegation, in Tokyo. Kuwait and Japan are tied with historical bonds that started with the economic field in the fifties when the late Amir Sheikh Abdullah Al-Salem Al- Sabah agreed in 1958 to grant Japan's Arabian Oil Company Ltd the concession to explore oil at the Submerged Area or the Neutral Zone. Three years later, Japan was in the forefront of those countries that had recognized Kuwait's independence through a cabinet decree on December 8, 1961, in spite of Iraqi economic sanctions on Japanese exports. The Japanese move was based on balanced interests with Kuwait, particularly after Japan had obtained the concession to use Kuwait's oil share in the divided zone with Saudi Arabia. The concession came to an end in September 2001 under a memo of understanding. The Kuwait Gulf Oil Company then started operating in the joint offshore oil fields. Bilateral diplomatic ties were forged in February 1962, when the first Kuwaiti Ambassador to Japan, Sulaiman Mohammad Al-Sanea, arrived in Tokyo, and the Japanese embassy was inaugurated in Kuwait in March, 1963. Japanese commercial missions had been present in Kuwaiti markets since 1961 to study markets of Gulf States. Afterwards, both sides commenced cooperative relations in several areas, including cooperation between Kuwait Gulf oil Company and Arabian Oil Company by signing agreements for providing Japan with part of the production of the divided area and helping Kuwaiti companies make use of the Arabian Oil Company's expertise and a Japanese financing agreement. Based on this cooperation, the Arabian Oil Company Ltd had helped in establishing Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research (KISR) in 1967. In the following decades, relations between the two countries were based on mutual benefit, especially in commercial aspects, where Kuwait was one of the main sources of crude oil and its derivatives for Japan, while Kuwaiti markets saw an abundance of Japanese products. Japan's position on the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait in 1990 was so supportive that it stood by Kuwaiti rights and supported international conventions condemning occupation, calling for return of sovereignty. Japan also contributed USD 13 billion for the liberation of Kuwait. In January 1995, the then Heir to the Emperor's Throne, Naruhito, and Princess Masako, visited Kuwait, where the late Amir Sheikh Jaber Al- Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah granted him the Order of Mubarak Al-Kabeer in appreciation of Japan's support for Kuwait during the Iraqi invasion. In return, Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah paid an official visit to Tokyo in October of the same year in order to voice gratitude to Japan for having supported Kuwait during the liberation from the Iraqi invasion. In March 2012, the late Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al- Sabah visited Japan, where he had met with Emperor Akihito, Crown Prince Naruhito and Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda on ways of promoting relations between both countries in a bid to serve their mutual interest. In August 2013, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe visited Kuwait in order to bolster his country's partnership with Kuwait, mainly in economic and scientific matters and promote bilateral dialogue to ensure joint stability and prosperity. On December 23, 2024, Kuwait and Japan held the fourth round of political consultations, with both sides having voiced a willingness to further expand their economic partnership covering food security, cybersecurity, renewable energy, oil and petrochemicals. The Kuwaiti-Japanese businessmen's committee, formed in 1995, held its first meeting in Kuwait in November of the same year. In 2011, Kuwait granted Japan five million barrels of crude oil worth roughly USD 500 million, in addition to USD five million in the aftermath of a powerful earthquake that hit its eastern coasts. (KUNA)
Arab Times
3 days ago
- Business
- Arab Times
Kuwait Crown Prince in Japan on an official visit
TOKYO, May 28: His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah and his accompanying delegation arrived in Japan on an official visit on Wednesday. His Highness the Crown Prince was received by Japanese Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs and Director-General for Middle East and African Affairs Toshihide Endo, Kuwaiti Ambassador to Japan Sami Al-Zamanan, and Japanese Ambassador to Kuwait Mukai Kenichiro. His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah visit to Japan represents a milestone in the history of bilateral relations and strategic partnership between the two countries, said Kuwaiti Ambassador to Japan Sami Al-Zamanan Wednesday. In remarks to KUNA, Ambassador Al-Zamanan noted that the 'historic' visit of His Highness the Crown Prince is the culmination of a long history of constructive cooperation and mutual understanding, and bears significance for the depth of relations between the two friendly countries and peoples. Kuwait and Japan have a strong friendship spanning nearly 64 years, embodied through ongoing cooperation and communication, and based on the principles of mutual respect and shared interests, he added. He said that Kuwaiti-Japanese ties have witnessed significant growth in recent years, thanks to the keenness and interest of the two wise leaderships, expressing his confidence that this high-level visit will contribute to opening new horizons that will achieve the aspirations of both leaderships. During the official visit, His Highness the Crown Prince is scheduled to meet with Emperor Naruhito and the Crown Prince of Japan. An official summit will also be held between the Crown Prince and Prime Minister Ishiba to discuss ways to enhance cooperation between Japan and Kuwait and to address regional and international developments (KUNA)
The Sun
4 days ago
- Politics
- The Sun
GCC renews call for resolution of Palestine and Syria issues
KUALA LUMPUR: The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) reaffirmed its firm stance on the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip and the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, calling on the international community to shoulder its responsibilities. Kuwaiti Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, who is also President of the current session of the GCC Supreme Council, said the GCC underscores the fundamental priority of establishing an independent Palestinian state based on the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital. 'We urge the international community to take responsibility and adopt effective measures to end the aggression, protect civilians, end the occupation, and launch a genuine peace process based on legitimate international resolutions and the Arab Peace Initiative,' the Crown Prince said. His Royal Highness made the remarks at the inaugural ASEAN-GCC-China Summit here today. Sheikh Sabah Khaled also reiterated that the GCC values the positions and support of its partners in ASEAN and China for the Palestinian cause, and stressed the importance of continuing this support across various international forums. On the situation in Syria, the GCC welcomed the positive developments and expressed support for all efforts to achieve security and stability. 'The GCC also supports all efforts to preserve Syria's sovereignty and territorial integrity, thereby restoring the security and dignity of our fellow Syrian people and enabling them to resume national reconstruction,' the Crown Prince said. The summit was a new initiative by Malaysia as ASEAN Chair, aimed at strengthening trilateral economic cooperation between ASEAN, the GCC and China. It was attended by leaders from ASEAN, GCC member states and China.
The Sun
4 days ago
- Politics
- The Sun
GCC renews call for resolution of Palestine, Syria issues
KUALA LUMPUR: The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) reaffirmed its firm stance on the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip and the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, calling on the international community to shoulder its responsibilities. Kuwaiti Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, who is also President of the current session of the GCC Supreme Council, said the GCC underscores the fundamental priority of establishing an independent Palestinian state based on the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital. 'We urge the international community to take responsibility and adopt effective measures to end the aggression, protect civilians, end the occupation, and launch a genuine peace process based on legitimate international resolutions and the Arab Peace Initiative,' the Crown Prince said. His Royal Highness made the remarks at the inaugural ASEAN-GCC-China Summit here today. Sheikh Sabah Khaled also reiterated that the GCC values the positions and support of its partners in ASEAN and China for the Palestinian cause, and stressed the importance of continuing this support across various international forums. On the situation in Syria, the GCC welcomed the positive developments and expressed support for all efforts to achieve security and stability. 'The GCC also supports all efforts to preserve Syria's sovereignty and territorial integrity, thereby restoring the security and dignity of our fellow Syrian people and enabling them to resume national reconstruction,' the Crown Prince said. The summit was a new initiative by Malaysia as ASEAN Chair, aimed at strengthening trilateral economic cooperation between ASEAN, the GCC and China. It was attended by leaders from ASEAN, GCC member states and China.
