Pakistan, Kuwait vow to boost bilateral cooperation

Kuwaiti FM holds talks PM Imran, FM Qureshi

ISLAMABAD:

The government underscored the imperative of forging deeper economic, trade and investment cooperation with Kuwait and invited the Gulf state to benefit from the vast and profitable investment opportunities in the country.

During meetings with visiting Foreign Minister and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs of Kuwait, Dr Ahmed Nasser Al-Sabah, Prime Minister Imran Khan and Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi reaffirming Pakistan’s long-standing fraternal ties with Kuwait, rooted deep in shared faith and culture.

Also read: Kuwait to lift visa ban, says govt on eve of FM's visit

Lauding the efforts on both sides to build an enhanced partnership, the prime minister appreciated that the two countries were working closely to ensure ease of travel and enhancing people-to-people linkages.

Pakistan-Kuwait bilateral relations, Covid-19 situation, and regional issues were discussed in the meeting. Foreign Minister Al-Sabah conveyed greetings of the Emir and the Prime Minister of Kuwait to Prime Minister Imran. He also delivered a letter from the Kuwaiti prime minister.

Lauding the successful measures by Kuwait against the global pandemic, Imran highlighted the strategies adopted by Pakistan to fight Covid-19 pandemic, balancing the imperatives of saving lives and securing livelihoods. He thanked the Kuwait for the care to Pakistani expatriates during the pandemic.

The Kuwaiti foreign minister expressed his country’s firm resolve to further expand cooperation with Pakistan in diverse fields. He identified education, economy, trade and investment, and people-to-people linkages as priority areas of cooperation.

The foreign minister thanked Pakistan for its steadfast support and noted that the two countries always stood by each other at difficult times and underscored the need to further strengthen the institutional frameworks of bilateral cooperation.

He also thanked the Prime Minister for Pakistan’s valuable cooperation, especially during the testing times of global pandemic.

Recently, more than 600 Pakistani doctors and paramedics were employed by Kuwait to strengthen its health sector.

The Prime Minister highlighted Pakistan’s efforts in support of the Afghan peace process. He also appreciated the active and constructive role played by Kuwait in promoting regional peace and harmony, especially among the countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).

The Kuwaiti foreign minister invited Prime Minister Imran Khan to visit Kuwait, which was accepted. The prime minister also conveyed that he looked forward to welcoming the Emir as well as the Prime Minister of Kuwait in Pakistan at the earliest convenience.

Earlier, Foreign Minister Al-Sabah called on Foreign Minister Qureshi at the Foreign Office. In the meeting, Qureshi highlighted the Pakistan’s shifting focus to geo-economics with central emphasis on peace, development and connectivity.

Qureshi also briefed his counterpart on the economic potential of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), in particular its Special Economic Zones. He invited Kuwait to benefit from the vast and profitable investment opportunities in Pakistan.

During the delegation-level talks, the two foreign ministers reviewed the entire gamut of bilateral relations, including cooperation in political, economic, defence, trade and investment sectors, and manpower export, and discussed ways to enhance people-to-people linkages.

Expressing satisfaction at the recently held Bilateral Political Consultations in January, Qureshi reiterated the resolve to work together towards achieving mutually agreed goals. It was agreed to convene the next session of the Joint Ministerial Commission as soon as possible.

The foreign minister of Kuwait appreciated the positive contribution of more than 100,000 expatriate Pakistanis towards the development of Kuwait. He thanked Pakistan for the support and cooperation during the global pandemic, in particular in the health sector and food security of Kuwait.

The two foreign ministers also exchanged views on regional and global issues. Qureshi acknowledged the role of the Kuwaiti leadership in promoting regional peace and harmony, in particular the efforts of the Emir of Kuwait for bridging differences among the GCC member states.

Qureshi briefed his Kuwaiti counterpart on the situation in the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). He stressed that peaceful resolution of the Kashmir dispute was indispensable for durable peace and security in South Asia.

The foreign minister also briefed on Pakistan’s efforts in support of the Afghan peace process. He reaffirmed Pakistan’s support for all efforts aimed at enhancing solidarity and unity within the Muslim Ummah.

Earlier, upon arrival at the Foreign Office, Foreign Minister Ahmed Nasser Al-Sabah planted a sapling on the premises, upholding a long-standing tradition followed by visiting dignitaries, a press release issued by the foreign ministry said.