Latest news with #SadiqMarafi
Arab Times
2 days ago
- Business
- Arab Times
Visa-Free Travel to Georgia Now Available for Kuwaitis and Expats
KUWAIT CITY, May 28: Assistant Foreign Minister for European Affairs Ambassador Sadiq Marafi praised the distinguished relations between Kuwait and Georgia, stressing that the two countries are keen on strengthening their ties in various fields. In a statement on the sidelines of his participation in the Georgian Embassy's celebration of Georgian National Day on Tuesday, Marafi said 'this year we celebrate the 33rd anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations with Georgia. These are distinguished relations and we look forward to developing them in all areas.' He revealed that 'arrangements are underway for high-level reciprocal visits before the end of this year. We intend to sign cooperation agreements during the upcoming visits.' He expressed happiness over the increasing number of Kuwaiti tourists visiting Georgia, especially with the direct flights between the two friendly countries. On the other hand, Georgian Ambassador to Kuwait Noshrevan Lomtatidze affirmed in his speech that the State of Kuwait is the main international partner of Georgia. 'Georgia and Kuwait are bound by a close, multi-dimensional friendship and cooperation,' he stressed. He stated 'it has been a year since I arrived in this beautiful country, Kuwait, which I believe is the jewel of the Gulf. I am deeply grateful to the Kuwaitis for their wonderful friendship and kindness. I love Kuwait and I truly feel like I am in my second home. I extend my sincere thanks to all of Georgia's friends in Kuwait.' He continued 'I would like to take this opportunity to express my special gratitude to His Highness the Amir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, whom I was honored to hear personally during my meeting with him, which pushed our bilateral partnership to new heights, thanks to his wise guidance.' He added 'given his proven record in foreign policy and his distinguished global experience; allow me to express my sincere appreciation to His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled for Kuwait's continuous support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia.' He also expressed his deep gratitude to His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Abdullah; describing his meeting with the Georgian Prime Minister in February as wonderful, while praising the vital role of Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr. Abdullah Al-Yahya. Regarding tourism, he said 'we are witnessing an increase in the number of Kuwaitis coming to Georgia, thanks to the direct flights of Kuwait Airways and Jazeera Airways to Tbilisi and Batumi, in addition to the visa exemption for Kuwaiti citizens and residents of Kuwait.' He asserted 'I welcome Kuwaiti businessmen and citizens in general to visit Georgia and explore the opportunities it offers in the hotel, real estate and agricultural sectors.'
Kuwait Times
2 days ago
- Business
- Kuwait Times
Envoy highlights fresh momentum in Kuwait-Georgia ties
KUWAIT: Defense Ministry Undersecretary Sheikh Dr Abdullah Mishal Al-Sabah, Ambassador of Georgia to Kuwait Noshrevan Lomtatidze and Assistant Foreign Minister for European Affairs Ambassador Sadiq Marafi. KUWAIT: Assistant Foreign Minister for European Affairs Ambassador Sadiq Marafi revealed that high-level visits between Kuwait and Georgia are currently being arranged, with several bilateral agreements expected to be signed before the end of this year. Speaking on the sidelines of Georgia's Independence Day celebration, Marafi reaffirmed the strength of bilateral relations, marking 30 years since the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries. He highlighted the growing tourism exchange between the two countries. 'We are proud of the steady increase in the number of Kuwaiti tourists visiting Georgia, especially with the availability of direct flights between both countries,' he said. In his opening remarks, Georgian Ambassador to Kuwait Noshrevan Lomtatidze expressed deep appreciation for the warm ties between the two nations and the hospitality he has received since his arrival. 'It has been a year since I arrived in this beautiful country, which I consider a gem of the Gulf region. I have fallen in love with Kuwait and feel like I am in my second home,' he said. The Georgian ambassador extended his gratitude to HH the Amir of Kuwait Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah for his wisdom and support, and to HH the Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah for Kuwait's steadfast support of Georgia's sovereignty and territorial integrity. He also pointed to the productive meetings between the prime ministers and recent discussions between the foreign ministers of both countries, noting that these engagements have reinvigorated bilateral cooperation with a renewed agenda. Lomtatidze emphasized the rising number of Kuwaiti visitors to Georgia, facilitated by direct flights and visa exemptions for Kuwaiti citizens and residents. He encouraged Kuwaiti investors to explore opportunities in Georgia, particularly in the hospitality, real estate and agriculture sectors.
Kuwait Times
3 days ago
- Kuwait Times
Embassy celebrates Turkish Cuisine Week
Turkish ambassador Tuba Nur Sonmez KUWAIT: The Embassy of the Republic of Turkey to Kuwait hosted a reception on Sunday at Kuwait Marina Hotel, in collaboration with the Turkey Tourism Promotion and Development Agency (TGA) of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the Republic of Turkey, to celebrate the annual Turkish Cuisine Week. In her opening remarks, Turkish Ambassador Tuba Nur Sonmez emphasized Turkish cuisine's unique place among world cuisines, highlighting its deep-rooted history, health-conscious nature and sustainable qualities. The ambassador underlined the shared values of hospitality and culinary appreciation between Turkey and Kuwait, expressing her belief that such events further strengthen the bonds of friendship and cultural ties between the two nations. The event featured a presentation on the historical development of Turkish culinary culture, its regional diversity, and traditional cooking techniques. Guests had the opportunity to taste a wide array of meticulously prepared Turkish dishes, desserts, and beverages at various tasting stations. They also received information about the recipes and preparation methods of the dishes served. The Turkish ambassador poses for a group photo with Ambassadors and officials. Additionally, a special exhibition showcasing visuals and recipes from Turkish cuisine was presented to visitors, offering a deeper insight into Turkey's rich culinary heritage. A traditional Turkish folk dance performance by students from the Kuwait Turkish School was among the highlights of the evening, drawing great interest and appreciation from the audience. At the conclusion of the event, a raffle was held in which several fortunate attendees won round-trip flight tickets to Turkey. The event was attended by Sadiq Marafi, Assistant Minister for Europe Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kuwait, as the Guest of Honor.
Arab Times
4 days ago
- Arab Times
Turkish cuisine healthy, roots embedded in history
KUWAIT CITY, May 26: The Turkish Embassy in Kuwait hosted a special reception at the Marina Hotel on Monday, as part of the Turkish Cuisine Week held annually from May 21-27, in cooperation with the Turkish Tourism Promotion and Development Agency (TGA) -- an affiliate of the Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism. Assistant Foreign Minister for European Affairs Sadiq Marafi attended the event, along with many members of the diplomatic corps, representatives of the culinary sector, well-known chefs, travel agents, social media influencers and media professionals. Turkish Ambassador to Kuwait Tuba Nur Sönmez delivered a speech at the event; affirming the importance of Turkish cuisine among world cuisines, considering its rich history, focus on health and sustainable features. She touched on the shared cultural values between Turkiye and Kuwait, particularly in hospitality and culinary arts. She expressed her confidence that such activities contribute to deepening the friendly relations and cultural ties between the two countries. The event featured a presentation highlighting the evolution of Turkish culinary culture throughout history, its regional diversity, and the traditional techniques used in food preparation. Attendees were also allowed to taste a selection of carefully prepared Turkish dishes, drinks and desserts, as well as their detailed recipes and preparation methods. The event included a special exhibition featuring photographs and recipes of Turkish cuisine, allowing visitors to gain a deeper understanding of the richness of Turkish culinary heritage. The highlight of the evening was a Turkish folk dance performance by students from the Turkish-Kuwaiti School, which mesmerized the audience. The evening concluded with a raffl e for round-trip tickets to Turkiye, provided by Pegasus Airlines.
Kuwait Times
07-05-2025
- Business
- Kuwait Times
EU-Kuwait ties ‘outstanding'
KUWAIT: The Assistant Foreign Minister for European Affairs, Ambassador Sadiq Marafi, praised Kuwait's strong relationship with the European Union, describing the ties as 'outstanding.' On the sidelines of the Europe Day celebration held on Tuesday, Marafi emphasized the depth of cooperation in a range of sectors, highlighting recent milestones in Gulf-EU cooperation, notably the first GCC-EU summit in Brussels last October and Kuwait's upcoming hosting of the 29th ministerial meeting between the two blocs this October. He expressed optimism for a bilateral economic agreement, particularly a free trade deal, described as a gateway to 'new horizons' in economic and strategic cooperation. For her part, the EU Ambassador to Kuwait, Anne Koistinen, reflected on Europe's transformation since the 1950 Schuman Declaration, saying 'After being the battleground for two world wars, we learned that cooperation and interconnected societies are the only path to lasting peace, prosperity, and progress.' EU Ambassador to Kuwait, Anne Koistinen The EU ambassador underscored the EU's commitment to promoting a rules-based global order amid growing geopolitical tensions, condemning the resurgence of violence in Gaza, calling for a return to the ceasefire and urging humanitarian access. On Ukraine, she reaffirmed the EU's goal of securing a 'comprehensive, just and lasting peace' in accordance with the UN Charter, and praised Kuwait's principled support for Ukraine's sovereignty. The ambassador also noted Kuwait's pivotal role as GCC President in advancing strategic EU-GCC ties, announcing that the 9th EU-GCC Business Forum will also be held in Kuwait later this year. The ambassador stated that the EU's move to simplify Schengen visa procedures for Kuwaitis in 2023, saying 'Achieving visa-free travel for Kuwaiti citizens remains one of my key goals.' 'Our cooperation spans vital areas like trade, infrastructure, energy, security, humanitarian aid and cultural exchange,' she said, highlighting the cultural and people-to-people ties, celebrating Kuwait's designation as Arab Capital of Culture. The ambassador called to further deepen the longstanding partnership between Kuwait and the European Union, as both sides prepare to mark the 40th anniversary of diplomatic ties in 2026.
