Kuwaiti lawmakers hold talks with Belgian counterparts

BRUSSELS, Oct 6 (KUNA) -- A Kuwaiti parliamentary delegation led by Deputy National Assembly Speaker, Mubarak Al-Khurainij, held talks with Belgian foreign ministry officials and separately with Senators Monday evening aimed at strengthening bilateral ties and cooperation.
A-Khurainji told KUNA that the meetings discussed bilateral Belgian-Kuwait ties as well as Middle East issues including Syria, Iraq, Palestine, and Yemen.
He stressed that a political solution in Syria is vital based on Geneva I and he specified that Kuwait is helping in solving the Syrian refugee crisis. He noted that Kuwait hosted three international conferences for the Syrian refugees where USD 7.7 billion was pledged. Kuwait pledged USD 1.3 billion.
Al -Khurainij said that on Iran, Kuwait has welcomed the UNSC resolution 2231 based on the plan of action between Iran and the 5+1 Group and hopes that Iran will continue its implementation and cooperation of the plan.
Kuwait calls on Iran to respond to the efforts of regional countries to establish ties on mutual cooperation and respect and good neighbourliness and non-interference in internal affairs of regional countries, he noted.
On Iraq, he said Kuwait supports all steps and measures taken by the Iraqi government to establish peace and security and to preserve the unity of the country. Kuwait and Iraq have signed a number of agreements and MoUs on bilateral cooperation in various fields, and to overcome most of the pending issues.
Kuwait has underlined its political and economic support to Egypt to establish peace and security and for progress an development of the country.
On Yemen, Kuwait calls for the full implementation of UNSC resolution 2216 for a political solution to restore peace and security in the country, he said. Kuwait supports the Arab coalition led by Saudi Arabia to restore stability and peace in Yemen. Moreover Kuwait also supports the GCC initiative and national reconciliation in Yemen.
In the first meeting Al Khurainij accompanied by MPs Saleh Ashour and Majid Moussa and Kuwait's ambassador to Belgium and the EU, Darar Abdul Razzak Razqooqi met with John Verkammen, head of Middle East department of the Belgian foreign ministry.
They discussed the development of bilateral Belgian-Kuwaiti political and economic ties as well as regional issues and Kuwait investments in Belgium.
Speaking to, KUNA, Verkammen said the meeting was a "building block for deeper relations with Kuwait." "We are convinced that there are lot of potentials in those bilateral relations," he said.
The two sides are preparing a roadmap of several topics for further cooperation, he said and hoped that they can sign a document soon on boosting bilateral cooperation.
"We are very happy that the dialogue took place today," he said adding that they discussed the developments in the Middle East, specifically Syria, Iraq and the migration crisis.
"Kuwait and Belgium in all if not most topics are on the same line politically," he added.
Pierre Brussermans, responsible for Gulf countries in the Belgian foreign ministry and Sibille de Cartier counsellor to Belgian foreign minister Didier Reynders also participated in the meeting.
On his part Saleh Ashour told KUNA that visits by Kuwaiti parliamentarians to the parliaments of other friendly countries are constantly taking place.
"Relations between Belgium and Kuwait are well known. Belgium has always politically supported Kuwaiti issues," he said.
"We are looking forward for the exchange visit of the Belgian side to Kuwait to strengthen bilateral ties. Both countries have common position on most issues," he added.
The Kuwaiti delegation later met with Alian Destexhe, President of the Friendship Group with Kuwait in the Belgian Senate.
Speaking to KUNA after the meeting, Destexhe said the meeting "was very good to develop the friendship between Belgium and Kuwait." The two sides also discussed the situation in Syria and Iraq , he said , adding that "Belgium and Kuwait are in the same coalition to fight Daesh and to find a political and military solution in the region." He thanked the Kuwaiti parliamentarians for visiting Belgium and hoped that they can develop the political and friendship link.
This is the first visit of a Kuwaiti parliament delegation to Belgium since the last elections in Belgium, he and hoped that Belgian parliamentarian delegation can visit Kuwait soon.
Kuwait's ambassador Darar Razzooqi hosted a lunch at his residence in honour of the visiting Kuwait delegation yesterday.
The Kuwait parliamentary delegation arrived in Brussels on Sunday for a 2-day official visit. They will continue today their meetings with their Belgian counterparts and also hold talks with Steven Vanackere, senator and former Belgian foreign minister.(end) nk.ajs