Kuwait''s FM discusses bilateral relations with more counterparts

(with photos) UNITED NATIONS, Sept 28 (KUNA) -- Kuwaiti Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Sabah Al-Khalid Al Hamad Al Sabah has discussed a wide range of issues with a number of his counterparts, focusing on economic cooperation.
Following his meeting with Sheikh Sabah Al-Khalid, held late on Thursday, Foreign Minister of Romania Tito Korlstsian told KUNA and Kuwait TV that it was an "excellent political and diplomatic discussion, because of the special relationship" between the two countries.
He said Romania will celebrate next year 50 years of diplomatic relations with Kuwait, 50 years of "good political and economic cooperation." He recalled that Romania stood besides Kuwait in "difficult periods" in August 1990 when Romania was President of the Security Council. It was under Romania's presidency that the Council adopted the resolutions that upheld Kuwait's independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity after being invaded by Iraq, he recalled. "That was an important moment." He added that Romania will continue to promote closer economic projects, and exchange investments and students.
He indicated that Romania has one of the most famous universities in Europe which specializes in the studies of oil and gas, and hosts many students from the Arab world.
He said Sheikh Sabah Al-Khalid invited him to visit Kuwait next month and he accepted the invitation with pleasure.
He also invited his Kuwaiti counterpart to visit Romania and to be the special guest during the annual conference of Romanian Ambassadors which is usually held during the summer.
"It will be a good opportunity to speak about Kuwait, its political and economic development in the Middle East and to share its experience. All this to coincide with the 50th anniversary of our excellent diplomatic relations," he said.
Sheikh Sabah Al-Khalid also met with the Foreign Minister of Croatia Ms Vesna Pusic who said following the meeting "we agreed to exchange a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) which will be a start and where we will define the areas of possible cooperation between Kuwait and Croatia." She indicated that Croatia is going into a broad investment project in the energy sector, as well as in transportation, tourism and agriculture.
She added that Croatia is only ten months away from becoming a member of the European Union and "we definitely think it's time to see into our broader neighbourhood, and we sincerely think both countries are in that broad neighbourhood." She noted that they both agreed to continue along this path to define the areas and the projects that will be interesting for investment.
She said her host "graciously invited me to visit Kuwait and I accepted with great pleasure." The Foreign Minister of Burundi Laurent Kavakure said the discussion with Sheikh Sabah Al-Khalid focused on how to re-start the bilateral cooperation between the two countries.
He said H.E, asked him to present projects that could be financed by the Kuwaiti Fund for Development.
He said Burundi has presented its projects to the Conference of Burundi's Development Partners, scheduled to be held in Geneva, Switzerland, on October 29-30, which will bring together some 350 participants.
Kavakure said Sheikh Sabah Al-Khalid promised to attend the Geneva Conference.
He said Sheikh Sabah Al-Khalid also spoke about the proposed Arab-African Conference, which will be held in late March in Kuwait, and was told that his President Pierre Nkurunziza will be invited to attend.
He described the relations between the two countries as "good," explaining that the Kuwaiti Ambassador residing in Nairobi, Kenya, will present his credentials as a non-resident Ambassador to Burundi to him shorlty. He also said that Kuwait is a candidate to the UN Economic and Social Council for 2013-15 and Burundi will definitely vote in favour of Kuwait.
Sheikh Sabah Al-Khalid also met with the Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration of Montenegro Nebojsa Kaluderovic who said following the meeting that both countries have excellent relations, especially after the recent signing of diplomatic relations.
"We discussed the areas of further cooperation between the two friendly countries.
He suggested that as a first step, both countries should sign an agreement to avoid double taxation by business communities to allow them to get closer, and to see how they can communicate in the business environment.
He said he accepted Sheikh Sabah Al-Khalid's invitation to visit Kuwait and expressed hope to be there "soon." (end) sj.rk KUNA 280910 Sep 12NNNN