Kuwait Deputy Premier and Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah with his German counterpart Heiko Maas

Kuwait, German sign declaration of intent on humanitarian aid - FM

17/12/2018

KUWAIT-- Kuwait Deputy Premier and Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah said Sunday a declaration of intent was signed with Germany regarding development of partnership in humanitarian field.

At a joint news conference with his German counterpart Heiko Maas, Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled said the declaration of intent stipulated exploration of funding mechanisms for the humanitarian action.

The declaration, added Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled, contributed to improving efficiency of international humanitarian assistance, as well as protecting relief workers.

The Kuwaiti minister said the two countries' 55-year bilateral relations are solid, describing them as a "model for success." This was outlined in Berlin's full support of Kuwait's legitimate sovereign right during its 1990 occupation by Iraq.

He commended the prominent status Kuwaiti investments have assumed in the German public and private sectors, which have reached USD 35 billion, encouraging German firms to benefit from entering a facilitated Kuwaiti market in return.

The two officials held extensive and fruitful negotiations, he said, which discussed several means to develop their cooperation mechanisms and partnership on numerous spectrums, particularly on the economy and trade.

They both expressed a keenness to unearth fresh avenues in the sectors of renewable energy, education and environmental protection as well as in the parliamentary field.

Regarding regional and international affairs, he said both held corresponding views on many matters in relation to security and political situations and joint efforts aimed at re-establishing security and stability in the region.

Their shared Security Council non-permanent status would enable both to increase this cooperation and find peaceful solutions to regional issues, he added.

He went on to praise Germany's role in resolving disputes through peaceful means and its dedication to humanitarian causes, demonstrated particularly in assistance provided during the Kuwait-hosted donors conferences for Syria and the rebuilding of Iraq.

In response to a question about efforts for a UN climate change accord, he said this was important, adding Kuwait is open to dialogue aimed at reaching an agreement that aids international convergence.

For his part, the German minister said both countries, through the recently-signed document and their non-permanent Security Council status, seek to cooperate and work together towards preventing conflict or reaching a settlement to these disputes.

He said Berlin maintains a solid willingness to increase cooperation with Kuwait and stands ready to dispatch experts to the country and support Kuwaiti diplomats of both genders.

Describing Kuwait as a partner, he commended its role on the humanitarian scale and crisis management, particularly in regards to Syria and Yemen.

Kuwait is undertaking a responsible humanitarian role on the Syrian crisis, he stated, revealing that Germany intends to follow in the footsteps of Sweden, which has had a leading role in efforts to resolve the crisis ahead of the looming expiry of its Security Council status.

During the ministerial talks, both Berlin and Kuwait also agreed that the recent UN-backed peace talks between the opposing sides in Yemen, hosted by Sweden, represent a step in the right direction, underlining the need to build upon the meeting's outcomes.

Moreover, in regards to global climate change efforts, he said they represent a priority which Berlin would be addressing during its recently-acquired 2019-20 Security Council non-permanent membership.