By Nawab Khan
BRUSSELS, Sept 16 (KUNA) -- A number of European lawmakers expressed their great admiration for Kuwait's roles as regional mediator and global humanitarian player during a series of meetings with Kuwait's Ambassador to Belgium, European Union, and Luxembourg, Jasem Al-Budaiwi.
Ambassador Al-Budaiwi told the Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) Friday that he met seven Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) and discussed with them ways to strengthen ties and cooperation between Kuwait and the European Parliament.
"The purpose of my meetings with the MEPs was to find ways to enhance Kuwait's relationship with the European Parliament and discuss issues of common interests and find common grounds on regional and international issues," he said.
He met the MEPs from the biggest political groups including the European Peoples Party (EPP), the Socialists and Democrats (S&D), the Liberals (ALDE), the European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR).
They were all very aware of Kuwait's role in helping countries like Syria, Yemen, and Iraq and other nations in need, he noted.
"They praised Kuwait's democratic process, its human rights record, its constitution, its freedom of speech. It was a very positive meeting which set the ground for developing bilateral relations," stressed Ambassador Al Budaiwi.
Ambassador Al-Budaiwi and the MEPs also discussed Kuwait's Comprehensive Cooperation Agreement with the European Union and how the EP can play a role in implementing this important agreement and making good use of it.
"The common view that I heard from everybody was how to enhance the cooperation between Kuwait and the European Parliament. They also expressed their wish to visit Kuwait as soon as the opportunity was given," he said.
Ambassador Al-Budaiwi briefed the MEPs on Kuwait's good relations in the political, economic, military, energy, and educational fields with all the 28 EU member states. He said over 3,000 Kuwaiti students were studying in European universities.
The MEPs also expressed interest in sending delegations from their political groups to visit Kuwait to meet the leadership, government officials and parliamentarians to enhance Kuwait-Europe ties. (end) nk.mb