Jordan Times
Friday, February 15, 2008
King, Kuwaiti PM discuss
bilateral ties
AMMAN (Petra) - His Majesty King Abdullah on Thursday reiterated Jordan’s
keenness to develop and enhance its relations with Kuwait in the political,
economic and commercial spheres.
During a meeting with Kuwaiti Prime Minister Sheikh Nasser Al Mohammad Al Ahmad
Al Sabah yesterday, the King expressed appreciation of Kuwait’s assistance to
the Kingdom and its contribution to the country’s development projects.
Sheikh Nasser conveyed greetings to King Abdullah from Kuwaiti Emir Sheikh Sabah
Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah and delivered to His Majesty an invitation to attend
the 4th Economic Islamic Forum, which will open in Kuwait on April 29.
Talks between the two sides focused on the latest regional political
developments, especially efforts exerted to push forward the peace process, in
addition to the present situation in Iraq and Lebanon.
King Abdullah and the Kuwaiti premier stressed their support for the Palestinian
Authority in its negotiations to end the Israeli occupation and set up an
independent Palestinian state.
Referring to the situation in Lebanon, they called on the Lebanese parties to
resort to dialogue and work towards safeguarding their country’s unity.
King Abdullah reiterated Jordan’s support for the Arab initiative adopted by the
Arab League to end the political crisis in Lebanon and lead to the election of a
new president.
Addressing the situation in Iraq, the two countries underlined their support for
efforts exerted to achieve national reconciliation among the various Iraqi
groups.
Yesterday’s meeting was attended by Prime Minister Nader Dahabi, Royal Court
Chief Bassem Awadallah, the King’s Adviser on Tribal Affairs Fawaz Ben Zaben
Abdullah, several ministers and Jordan Investment Board Chief Executive Officer
Maen Nsour.
The Kuwaiti premier, who concluded his two-day visit later in the day, was
accompanied by Industry and Trade Minister Falah Hajiri, Education Minister
Nouriya Subeih, Ahmadi Governor Ibrahim Al Duaij Al Sabah, Director General of
the Kuwaiti Fund for Arab Economic Development Abdul-Wahhab Al Badr and other
senior officials.
Also on Thursday, the Kuwaiti prime minister met with Senate President Zeid
Rifai and Lower House Speaker Abdul Hadi Majali to discuss bilateral relations
and issues of mutual concern.
In a press statement following the meeting, Majali said a delegation of Kuwaiti
parliamentarians would soon visit the Kingdom to further discuss relations
between the two sides.
Sheikh Nasser also met with members of the Kuwaiti community in Jordan and
conveyed to them the greetings of the Kuwaiti emir and his keenness to follow up
their conditions.
The Kuwaiti premier expressed hope that the number of Kuwaiti students enrolled
at Jordanian universities, which currently stands at 2,200, will increase in the
future.
Students who attended the meeting voiced their appreciation for the visit.
Meanwhile, Minister of Education Tayseer Nueimi and Minister of Higher Education
and Scientific Research Omar Shdeifat held talks with Subeih on means to improve
joint educational cooperation through cultural events and educational projects.
Commending the Kingdom’s advanced educational level, Subeih said Kuwait was keen
to boost scientific and educational cooperation with Jordan.
She also referred to the World Bank development report, which ranked Jordan and
Kuwait "as the top performers" in terms of education, adding that this was the
result of major efforts exerted by both countries.
Furthermore, Hajiri said in a press statement that trade cooperation between
Jordan and Kuwait is steadily developing, with joint trade exchange amounting to
$210 million in 2007 and the volume of Kuwaiti investments in Jordan at $6
billion.
“The ministry is working to support trade exchange and is doing its utmost to
remove obstacles facing the flow of trade between Jordan and Kuwait,” Hajiri
said, adding that the Kuwaiti premier’s visit will reflect positively on trade,
political and economic relations.
He noted that the upcoming meeting of the Jordanian-Kuwaiti Higher Committee
would help boost trade exchange between the two countries.
On Wednesday, the two countries signed four memoranda of understanding to
regulate and enhance bilateral cooperation in the fields of environment,
agriculture, culture and social affairs.