Kuwait opens mission in NATO to strengthen bilateral relations

BRUSSELS, Nov 27 (KUNA) -- The State of Kuwait and the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) Monday took another significant step to strengthen their cooperation following the official opening of Kuwait's mission inside NATO headquarters in Brussels Monday afternoon.
The mission was inaugurated by Kuwait's deputy foreign minister Khaled Al- Jarallah and NATO's Assistant Secretary General for Political Affairs and Security Policy, Ambassador Alejandro Alvargonzalez.
"This mission in NATO will contribute to strengthening the relationship between the State of Kuwait and NATO and we are keen in Kuwait to strengthen this relationship," Al-Jarallah told KUNA and Kuwait TV after the opening ceremony.
He noted that the Kuwaiti mission will be headed by Ambassador Jassim Al-Budiawi, Ambassador of Kuwait to the Kingdom of Belgium and the European Union.
Al-Jarallah pointd out that NATO has a regional centre in Kuwait which was financed by Kuwait and is considered to be the best centre of the 29-member NATO alliance outside its headquarters in Brussels.
"We have strong relationships and cooperation with NATO in terms of training, studies, research and political dialogue," he stressed.
Al-Jarallah said that Kuwait was the first member of the Gulf Cooperation Council to join NATO's Istanbul Cooperation Initiative (ICI) which was launched in 2004 to boost cooperation with Arab Gulf countries.
He also recalled the vital role played by NATO when Kuwait was invaded and occupied by Iraq and also in the process of liberating the State of Kuwait.
"We have been keen to strengthen and deepen the cooperation with NATO. We also feel that the NATO side is also interested in the role of the State of Kuwait in the region and globally," he said.
Al-Jarallah praised the initiatives of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah aimed at calming the situation in the region and in his humanitarian role in the region and around the world.
"We look forward to broader cooperation and look forward to constant visits to our NATO allies and friends. We wish success to this cooperation between Kuwait and NATO," he added.
On his part, Alejandro Alvargonz?lez told KUNA and Kuwait TV that "this is one more step that we have taken lately that coincides with all the efforts and all the splendid behaviour of Kuwait with NATO for which we are very happy." "Kuwait is hosting the regional centre of NATO and now it is opening its mission here and this is very good news for us all. Kuwait is one country that exports stability and we would like this to be continued enhancing our cooperation and we are very happy about that," he said.
"Today we are rejoicing the fact that we can be together planning for the future," he added.
The Kuwaiti delegation at the opening ceremony included Assistant Foreign Minister for Europe Affairs Waleed Al-Khubaizi and Assistant Foreign Minister for the Deputy Foreign Minister's Office Ambassador Ayham Al-Omar, and Ambassador Al-Budaiwi.(end) nk.tg