By Ahmad Al-Hamily LONDON, Feb 6 (KUNA) -- The wide participation from various sectors of British society in Kuwait's national celebrations, particularly top officials from the Trade and Defense ministries, as well as parliamentarians, signifies the 250-year-long strong and historical ties, said Kuwaiti Ambassador to the UK Bader Al-Munayekh.
Speaking to Kuwait Television and Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) on the sidelines of the 65th National Day and 35th Liberation Day celebrations, Ambassador Al-Munayekh conveyed congratulations to His Highness the Amir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, and the Kuwaiti people on the advent of the national occasions, wishing the leadership and people of Kuwait continued progress and development.
Delivering his speech at the Embassy's celebration of the national occasions, Ambassador Al-Munayekh said, "On these important occasions, we pay tribute to our founding fathers, and remember our heroes, who sacrificed their lives defending our nation during the 1990 invasion." "We remain deeply grateful to the United Kingdom for its decisive support during that critical period and we are honored to have with us this evening British veterans whose service in the liberation of Kuwait will always be remembered and deeply appreciated," the Ambassador affirmed.
He continued, "Kuwait and United Kingdom relations date back to 1775. And today, our partnership rests on 3 strong interconnected pillars; royal-to-royal pillar, and people-to- people pillar, and government-to-government." "At the royal level, the exchange of visits has been more regular and substantive. His Majesty King Charles has visited Kuwait on eight different occasions.
More recently, His Royal Highness, the Duke of Edinburgh visited Kuwait, while His Highness the Amir, Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah visited the United Kingdom upon a private invitation from His Majesty King Charles," Ambassador Al-Munayekh stated.
He stated, "Just four months ago, His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah visited London, where he met His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales at Windsor Castle," asserting, "These exchanges reflect the close ties, deep mutual respect, and the enduring friendship between our two royal families." Touching on the people-to-people relation, Ambassador Al-Munayekh affirmed that they remain "one of the strongest and most vibrant aspects of the partnership." "Each year, we have more than 180,000 Kuwaitis visit the United Kingdom. We have also more than 11,300 Kuwaiti students studying in the United Kingdom. On the other hand, we have 8,000 British nationals who live and work in Kuwait, and more than 10,000 visitors each that further cementing our social, cultural, and human connection," said the Ambassador.
At the government-to-government level, the Ambassador indicated, "We take great pride in having establishing the world's first sovereign wealth fund in London, 1953. Today, it continues to play a positive role and constructive role in the UK economy supporting more than 200 jobs." "Kuwait Petroleum Corporation also plays a very vital role. It's one of the leading suppliers of jet fuel to British and European airports," said the Ambassador, adding, "High level engagement between our two governments continues to flourish.
In 2025, the Joint Steering Groups concluded its 22nd ministerial meeting. The signing of the GCC- UK free-trade agreement will constitute a significant milestone. And further advancing the deepening of our economic partnership." Meanwhile, Minister of State for Trade and member of Parliament, Sir Chris Bryant, said in his speech that it was an "enormous honor and delight" to celebrate Kuwait's National Day, and Liberation Day.
"These are two absolutely seminal moments in your history, and we want to celebrate them with you," he said, adding that "There are some countries with whom the bond is so deep and emotional and that is the relationship between the UK and Kuwait." The British official continued, "I also want to pay tribute to your armed forces and our armed forces, who have worked together not only in the 1990s, but ever since and before, making sure that bond of a constant reinvigoration of our armed forces is maintained." "Hundreds of Kuwaitis, every single year, come to the UK to study in our universities, and our universities are the better for it. And so, I warmly welcome that relationship as well," said Bryant who mentioned the Kuwaiti sovereign wealth fund, which has invested for the longer than any other sovereign world fund in the UK since 1953.
Held on the sidelines of the Embassy's celebration was the "Sadu Immersive Experience", which invited guests and dignitaries to visually explore traditional Sadu weaving via an interactive display. (end) gta.mt