EU opens diplomatic mission in Kuwait

T-Mag Monday 15/July/2019 13:49 PM
By: Times News Service
EU opens diplomatic mission in Kuwait

Muscat: The EU inaugurated a diplomatic mission in Kuwait, the European External Action Service announced.

The move takes the total number of EU delegations around the world to 142, according to the European diplomatic service.

The mission was opened by the EU's High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini and Kuwait's Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Sabah Al Khalid Al Al Hamad Al Sabah.

"The inauguration of the EU delegation in Kuwait increases our presence in the region, but most of all it's the strongest possible symbol of our friendship with Kuwait," said Mogherini.

The delegation was, according to the diplomat, "a sign of how close the European Union and Kuwait have become in these years."

"In a moment of regional and global tensions, Kuwait is a voice of wisdom and a force for peace. And this is what has made us natural partners in these difficult times," she added.

"In each one of these challenges and on many, many more, the European Union and Kuwait have been working side by side.

Mogherini explained, "Together we have contributed to help the UN Agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA (United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East), overcome its funding crisis.

"We have been among the strongest supporters of Syrian refugees across the region, and of the Yemeni people in the middle of a dramatic humanitarian situation.

"So it simply just happened that we kept finding ourselves on the same side of argument – and I would dare to say: on the same side of history, on the side of peace and mediation. And as a consequence, we both decided to invest in our friendship, and make it grow."

The diplomatic mission is the EU's third in the region, the other two being located in Riyadh and Abu Dhabi.

"What happens in the Gulf matters to Europe, and what happens in Europe matters to the Gulf. So it is essential, it is natural to invest in our ties, and to explore every single opportunity we have for cooperation when our interests and values converge," Mogherini stated.

According to state media, Kuwait's Foreign Minister said the two sides had made great strides in dialogue regarding issues such as security, energy, and human resource development.

The EU, he stated, was a key partner in trade, investment, energy, education, health and many other sectors.