KUWAIT, Feb 21 (KUNA) -- Kuwait's diplomatic missions around the globe started commemorating the country's 56th independence day, the 26th liberation day and the 11th anniversary of the assumption of office by His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah.
The Embassy in Valetta, the capital city of Malta, hosted on Monday night a reception where President Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca led large number of well-wishers, including the Foreign Minister George William Vella and former prime minister Lawrence Gonzi.
The celebration gathered dozens of Maltese senior officials, economic leaders, and cultural and media celebrities, as well as foreign diplomats based in Valetta, according to a statement by the embassy.
Addressing the ceremony, President Preca congratulated His Highness the Amir and His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, and the Kuwaiti people and government.
She said the Maltese government is looking forward to opening new horizons for the fruitful cooperation with Kuwait in all domains capitalizing on the exemplary political ties.
The diplomatic ties, dating back to 1972, kept guiding the growth of relations in such areas as economy, investment, tourism and culture, she said. President Preca appreciated the active role of Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development (KFAED) in supporting the economic development in her country over the last decades.
She voiced hope that the recent launching by the Malta Stock Exchange of an index for the Islamic Sharia-abiding stocks would attract more foreign investment and help Malta serve as a link between Europe, on one hand and the Middle East and North Africa region, on the other.
Kuwait Ambassador Faisal Motlaq Al-Adwan expressed, in a speech to the gathering, his best regards to His Highness the Amir and His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and the Kuwaiti people on this occasion.
He thanked President Preca for her attendance, which signaled the depth of friendship between the two countries.
Ambassador Al-Adwan voiced hope for even closer cooperation in all fields to serve the interests of both countries.
On the fringes of the celebration, the embassy held an exhibition of books, photographs, documents and costumes, which portrayed the history and the socio-economic development of Kuwait.
In Jeddah, Kuwait's Consul General and Permanent Delegate to the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Wa'el Youssef Al-Anzi hosted a reception at Park Hyatt Jeddah hotel to mark the national days.
The celebration gathered Prince Fahad bin Muqren bin Abdul-Aziz and senior Saudi officials and public figures as well as foreign diplomats and business leaders residing in Jeddah.
Al-Anzi expressed, in statements to KUNA, his best wishes for His Highness the Amir, His Highness the Crown Prince and His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, as well as the Kuwaiti people on this occasion.
He lauded the historical ties between the State of Kuwait and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, saying that these ties are growing constantly thanks to the wisdom of His Highness the Amir and His Highness the Amir and King Salman bin Abdul-Aziz Al Saud.
He recalled the noble stance of Saudi Arabian leadership and people in supporting the State of Kuwait against the Iraqi invasion in 1990.
Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates Salah Al-Ba'ijan hosted on Tuesday a reception at Fairmont Bab Al Bahr Abu Dhabi hotel which gathered UAE Presidential Advisor Dr. Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan, Minister of Culture, Youth and Community Development Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahayan, and Minister of State for Tolerance Affairs Sheikha Lubna bint Khaled Al-Qasimi, as well as senior officials public figures and foreign diplomats.
Ambassador Al-Ba'ijan expressed best wishes for His Highness the Amir, His Highness the Crown Prince and His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, as well as the Kuwaiti people on this occasion.
He appreciated as great the efforts being made by His Highness the Amir to augment the Arab unity, restore stability in the region and promote humanitarian action around the globe.
He praised the deep-rooted relations with the UAE, saying they kept growing in all domains thanks to the wise leaderships of both countries.
The ceremony featured singing and folklore performances and traditional handcraft show.
The Embassy in Rabat hosted on Tuesday a reception where Director-General of the Arabic Industrial Development and Mining Organization (AIDMO) Adel Al-Saqr led dozens of well-wishers from the Kingdom of Morocco and other friendly countries.
Speaking to KUNA on the sidelines of the celebration, Al-Saqr voiced joy for joining the Kuwaitis in celebrating this dear occasion "which has great political, historical and cultural significance." He expressed best wishes for His Highness the Amir, His Highness the Crown Prince and His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, as well as the Kuwaiti people.
Al-Saqr extolled His Highness the Amir for his leading role in promoting the humanitarian efforts, the Arab joint action and supporting the activities of regional organizations, notably the AIDMO.
Ambassador to Tunisia Ahmad Ali Al-Thafairi hosted a reception that brought together Tunisian noted politicians, public figures and media celebs, as well as Arab and foreign diplomats based in Tunis.
The number of special celebrities in attendance reflects the depth of friendship between Kuwait and Tunisia, Al-Thafairi said in statements to KUNA and Kuwait TV on the sidelines of the celebration Tuesday evening.
He expressed best wishes for His Highness the Amir, His Highness the Crown Prince and His Highness the Prime Minister, as well as the Kuwaiti people on this occasion.
On his part, Tunisian Presidential Advisor Lazhar Al-Qorawi Al-Chabi voiced joy for joining the Kuwaitis in celebrating their national days.
He said the Tunisian people and government hold in high esteem the sisterly State of Kuwait and are keen on cementing the already close relations with it.
For his part, Minister of Employment and Vocational Training Imad Hammami congratulated His Highness the Amir, His Highness the Crown Prince and His Highness the Prime Minister.
He conveyed the regards of Tunisian President Beji Caid Essebsi to His Highness the Amir and the Kuwaiti people and government, voicing hope for greater cooperation in all domains. (end) kt.gb