US-Kuwaiti relationship 'deeply-rooted' - Amb. Silverman

KUWAIT, Feb 21 (KUNA) -- The United States is honored to have built a deep-rooted relationship with Kuwait that has grown stronger from independence, through liberation, to today. This relationship benefits both our peoples, US Ambassador to the State of Kuwait Lawrence R. Silverman said in a statement Wednesday.
In the statement, the Ambassador, on behalf of the United States Government, congratulated the government and people of Kuwait on the 57th anniversary of independence and the 27th anniversary of liberation.
"Our peoples are safer as a result of our close cooperation on defense and security, including the joint effort to stop terrorism and terrorist financing," said Ambassador Silverman.
Last week, the United States and Kuwait co-hosted the Ministerial Meeting of the Global Coalition to Defeat the so-called Islamic State (IS), said the Ambassador, adding that representatives of over 70 member nations and institutional partners came together in Kuwait City united in the determination to defeat IS/Da'esh through a sustained, multifaceted effort.
"We likewise appreciate Kuwait's generous hosting of the International Conference for the Reconstruction of Iraq." This past year has been a productive one for US-Kuwait relations, highlighted by the visit of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah to the White House and the second successful US-Kuwait Strategic Dialogue, said the US Ambassador who noted that these meetings opened new channels of cooperation on security, trade, investment and education.
"The United States reiterates its commitment to Kuwait's security and continues to contribute to the enhancement of the capabilities of the Kuwaiti Armed Forces to defend their country. We will share information in ways that strengthen our security. We will work to develop new avenues to increase trade and investment and consult on the best means to enhance the environment for business and investment in Kuwait." "We both benefit from what has been the most enduring of U.S.-Kuwait ties since your independence: education. Last November, I welcomed three generations of Kuwaiti alumni of American universities to my home to celebrate these ties and our ever-strengthening partnership," state Silverman.
He added that "We are working to increase the already high number of Kuwaitis studying in the United States and the number of exchanges between US and Kuwaiti academic and research institutions. We are instituting new ways to prepare Kuwaiti students for academic success at top quality educational institutions. Kuwaiti students bringing back what they learned in America will help forge Kuwait's future, as they have done for decades.
Since arriving in September 2016, it has been my privilege to get to know Kuwait and its people, said the Ambassador, indicating that he had joined the conversation at Diwaniyas (local gathering halls), met young people planning to study in the US, and have been impressed by innovative and entrepreneurial men and women.
The United States and the US Embassy in Kuwait will work with the government and with the private sector to foster entrepreneurship, he affirmed.
"On this anniversary of your independence and liberation, we congratulate the Kuwaiti authorities and the Kuwaiti people on what Kuwait has become: a significant contributor to diplomacy and stability in a region facing great challenges, and a humanitarian leader far beyond its borders. For the next two years, Kuwait has the opportunity to exercise its diplomatic leadership as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council." "In the coming year, I look forward to further strengthening the relationship between the United States and Kuwait, and between the American and Kuwaiti people. (end) gta