Review of PM''s successful tour

KUWAIT, Oct 2 (KUNA) -- His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammad Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah concluded yesterday a successful tour for a number of friendly countries, including the Swiss Confederation, Canada and the United States, where he headed the Kuwaiti delegation representing HH the Amir to the 66th session of the General Assembly of the United Nations in New York.
This round had reflected keenness of HH the Prime Minister on manifesting the wise policy of HH the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah in the continued emphasis on the importance of strengthening bonds of relations between Kuwait and the countries of the world and HH's ongoing quest to build the foundations of cooperation and mutual understanding with regional and international organizations.
HH Sheikh Nasser kicked off last September 13 the first leg of his trip in the Swiss capital, Bern, where he met President of the Swiss Confederation Micheline Calmy-Rey.
The two sides discussed the distinguished bilateral relations and ways of enhancing them, in addition to reviewing international issues of common concern.
HH also met with President of the Swiss Parliament, Jean-Pierre Germnier, and held joint talks, during which he attended a session of the Swiss parliament, before moving to the headquarters of the provincial government of Bern, where he met the Mayor of the Swiss capital Alexander Chapat.
Both men reviewed the special relations that bind Swiss and Kuwaiti peoples.
Meanwhile, Kuwaiti Al-Ahmadi Governorate and the city of Bern had signed a twinning agreement in March 2010 based on the foundations of mutual cooperation and exchange of experiences between the two sides in various technical, educational, sporting and cultural domains, as well as trade and urban planning, maintenance and revival of the national heritage.
In the framework of the distinguished visit, the delegation accompanying HH the Premier, which included the ministers of Commerce and Industry and Finance, in addition to a delegation of Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Kuwait met members of the Executive Council of the Federation of Swiss businessmen.
After the Swiss station, HH the Prime Minister left on September 17 to New York to preside over the Kuwaiti delegation participating in the meetings of the 66th session of the General Assembly of the United Nations.
HH Sheikh Nasser stressed, in a speech on behalf of HH the Amir to representatives of the international community, importance of the role played by the United Nations and its various organizations in the face of global challenges and risks at various levels, especially political and humanitarian ones.
HH the Premier added that the importance of the United Nations has without doubt increased with time, as the international arena has experienced, during the past six decades, many events that had a direct impact on international peace and security, where the United Nations had been a safe haven for Member States to search for collective and unified solutions to face problems and crises.
HH the Prime Minister met on the sidelines of the meetings the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, in addition to the Eritrean President, President of the Republic of Sierra Leone, Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Bhutan, Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo, Prime Minister of the Republic of Albania, Prime Minister of St. Vincent and the Prime Minister of the Republic of Vanuatu, President of the Republic of Togo and the Secretary General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation.
HH Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammad also attended a meeting of Clinton Global Initiative (CGI), during which they discussed global challenges facing the world and the development of innovative collective solutions to address them with a number of Heads of State and Governments.
With the end of his mission in New York, HH the Prime Minister headed on September 25 to Canada on an official visit; the first of its kind for a high-level Kuwaiti official.
The Governor of Canada, David Johnson, had warmly received HH the Prime Minister despite the fact that the visit began at the end of the week; a public holiday, which emphasized depth and strength of Kuwaiti-Canadian relations.
The two sides reviewed during the meeting the prospects for cooperation in economic, trade and investment spheres between the two countries with His Highness the Prime Minister stressing that this visit was to renew the thanks and appreciation of the Kuwait government and people for the people of Canada for their support for the legitimacy of Kuwait, especially during the Iraqi occupation of the country and Canada's established positions in the support and promotion of peace and stability in the world.
HH the Prime Minister held fruitful talks with the Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper that resulted in the signing of two agreements for the protection of investments between the two countries and a memo of understanding in air transport.
HH the Prime Minister also met Canadian House Speaker Andrew Shir and President of the Senate Noel Kinsella.
Washington was the last stop HH the Prime Minister's tour, where he met in the White House with Vice President of the United States, Joe Biden, and discussed issues of common interest, particularly with regard to the security of Kuwait and the Gulf region.
He also discussed with Biden the issue of Kuwaiti detainees at Guantanamo, stressing that this case is of great importance to the Kuwait government and people.
He also met with the US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and discussed with her issues of reciprocal interest, notably the rapid developments taking place in the Arab world.
On military security, HH the Prime Minister met with head of the Joint Chiefs of Staff in the US Army, Admiral Michael Mullen, where the two sides discussed military cooperation between Kuwait and the United States and the arrangements for post-American withdrawal from Iraq. (end) gh.tg KUNA 021639 Oct 11NNNN