Safadi delivers King's message to Kuwait emir

AMMAN — Kuwaiti Crown Prince Sheikh Mishal Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah on Sunday met with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister Ayman Safadi who conveyed a message from His Majesty King Abdullah to Kuwaiti Emir Nawaf Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah, and the greetings of King Abdullah and HRH Crown Prince Hussein to Sheikh Nawaf and Sheikh Mishal.

The message focused on ways to enhance the "distinguished" relations between the two countries and peoples, in addition to Arab issues, efforts to support pan-Arab unity and joint action and the latest regional and international developments, according to a ministry statement.

Sheikh Mishal conveyed his greetings to King Abdullah and Crown Prince Hussein, and stressed his keenness to further develop Kuwaiti-Jordanian relations at all levels in a way that reflects the "deep-rooted" relations between the two countries. 

The meeting examined the steps taken by the two countries to expand cooperation as well as several Arab, regional and international issues of common interest.

Safadi and Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Sheikh Salem Abdullah Al Jaber Al Sabah held expanded talks focused on bilateral relations, recent regional developments and efforts exerted to solve regional issues and instill regional security and stability.

The two ministers discussed ways to increase economic and investment cooperation as well as coordination in other areas, including food security and consular cooperation.

They also stressed the importance of cooperation in the field of education, which has “grown significantly”, as Kuwait has attracted Jordanian teachers and hundreds of Jordanian students to study at Kuwaiti universities. Some 5,000 Kuwaiti students are studying at Jordanian universities as well.

The ministers agreed to begin preparations for the meetings of the fifth session of the joint higher committee to be hosted by Kuwait. The meeting will be held at a time to be agreed on later this year, to ensure that practical decisions can be reached and steps that increase cooperation between the two countries can be taken.

Safadi thanked his Kuwaiti counterpart for Kuwait’s care for some 64,000 Jordanian citizens residing in the Gulf country.

Safadi and Sheikh Salem stressed the continuation of institutional work aimed at creating broader prospects for constructive cooperation in the interests of the two countries and deepening coordination on regional and international issues to better serve Arab issues.

Efforts to increase economic cooperation between Jordan and Kuwait are based on a “long history of cooperation”. The volume of trade between Jordan and Kuwait by the end of October 2022 amounted to $244.7 million. 

Kuwait is one of Jordan’s largest investors, with some $15 billion in investments concentrated in the tourism, energy, ICT, baking, real estate, extractive infrastructure and industrial sectors, according to the statement.

The Palestinian issued topped the regional focus of the talks between the two ministers, who both confirmed the centrality of the Palestinian issue. 

They said that the two-state solution, which embodies the independent and sovereign Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital on the pre-1967 lines in accordance with the resolutions of international legitimacy and the Arab Peace Initiative, is the only way to achieve a just, comprehensive and lasting peace.

The ministers reiterated Jordan and Kuwait’s condemnation of illegal Israel’s actions that violate the rights of the Palestinian people and undermine the two-state solution, stressing the need for intensified regional and international efforts to stop these practices.

They stressed the need to respect Jerusalem’s historical and legal status quo and that of its Islamic and Christian holy sites, and to condemn all steps that target the identity of holy sites.

Sheikh Salem stressed the important protective role of the Hashemite Custodianship over Islamic and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem.

The ministers also discussed the outcomes of the second session of the Baghdad Cooperation and Partnership Conference, hosted by the Kingdom last month, and stressed the importance of supporting and stabilising Iraq as a pillar of regional security and stability.

Sheikh Salem also acquainted Safadi with the progress in talks about drawing marine borders between Kuwait and Iraq, and the cooperation between the two countries to serve joint interests.

Safadi welcomed this progress until an agreement that guarantees the rights of both countries can be reached.

The two ministers also went over efforts to reach solutions to crises in Syria, Yemen and Libya as well as endeavours to combat terrorism.

Safadi and Sheikh Salem also discussed the current situation in Lebanon, and stressed the importance of supporting Beirut in dealing with challenges.