LUXEMBOURG, Feb 27, (KUNA): Israel’s continued “barbaric” practices are not stopping at assassinations, but extend to killing Palestinians history and culture, said Kuwait’s Deputy Premier and Foreign Minister Sheikh Dr. Mohammad Sabah Al-Salem Al-Sabah Friday night. Speaking to KUNA and Kuwait TV after a meeting with Luxembourg’s Foreign Minister Jean Aasselborn, he said, “We discussed Middle East peace and the continued barbaric practices of Israel, which have not stopped at assassinating (political) figures, but have extended to wanting to assassinate Palestinians history, culture and heritage, and this is what we are seeing now with the Ibrahimi Mosque in Al-Khalil (Hebron).”

Criminal
He said that the two ministers also discussed “Israel’s use of fake European passports to carry out a criminal act in a dear Gulf and Arab country, the United Arab Emirates, and in what manner these European countries must respond because this act must not pass.” Sheikh Mohammad added that they also discussed means to strengthen EU-GCC dialogue, such as to pave the way for signing a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) in 2010 under Kuwait’s presidency of the GCC, noting that there was a European-Gulf meeting scheduled for May.
Further, the two sides discussed Kuwaiti-Luxembourg ties.
“Luxembourg is a small country that played a large role in the liberation of Kuwait, and we talked about boosting bilateral relations,” he said.
Moreover, Sheikh Mohammad noted that this small European country had become a financial center hosting over 150 banks, and thus lessons could be learnt from it given that Kuwait was on the verge of executing massive development plans that would transform it into an international financial and commercial hub.

“We discussed how to link the economic units in Luxembourg and Kuwait together, such that there will be an economic exchange and integration between the two sides,” he added.
The Kuwaiti foreign minister paid a one-day visit to Luxembourg Friday as part of a European tour.
Sheikh Dr Mohammad met with Luxembourg’s Foreign Minister Jean Asselborn and discussed bilateral ties, EU-Kuwait relations, the Middle East peace process, Iran and the recent killing of a Hamas leader in Dubai.
“We had a very fruitful discussion today and I would reiterate our full support to the candidature of Luxembourg for the Security Council. This is a small token of appreciation that we can give to our friends in Luxembourg,” Sheikh Mohammad told a joint press conference after the meeting.
Relations
On his part, Asselborn said, “We have good bilateral relations and very positive cooperation and we can increase them.” Noting that Kuwait this year holds the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) presidency, he hoped that the EU and GCC would be able to bring the long-talked about Free Trade Agreement to a solution in 2010.

Asselborn said the Luxembourg-based Cargolux has have three flights a week to Kuwait. “We are open to accept Kuwait companies here in Luxembourg,” he said.
Kuwait Petroleum International (Q8) has invested more than 50 million euros in Luxembourg.
Since 1983, Q8 has a storage capacity of six million litres and this is an essential element of Luxembourg’s national security and supply for petrol, noted Asselborn.
The Kuwaiti foreign minister said the technological base that Luxembourg can provide and the capital base that Kuwait can provide can work in a very harmonious manner.
“Luxembourg is a major hub for Q8 and Luxembourg is very business friendly. It provides unique opportunity for companies to be based here. We have the oldest sovereign wealth fund. It was established in 1955 by the Kuwait Investment authority and its Director is to visit Luxembourg,” he said.
“We agreed to work together to conclude the Free Trade Agreement between the EU and GCC in 2010,” said Sheikh Mohammad.
On Iran, the Kuwaiti foreign minister said that every country has the right to develop nuclear energy for peaceful purpose.

“We strongly encourage Iran to abide by the IAEA requirements,” he said, adding that the issue should be resolved through negotiations.
The Kuwait delegation later also held a meeting with very important finance figures from Luxembourg.
“Islamic finance offers us numerous opportunities to work together,” said Asselborn.
On the Middle East Peace Process, Asselbron said both sides support a two-state solution.
He described the decision by the Luxembourg-based European Court of Justice ruling on Wednesday on Israel as “interesting and very important decision.” The court ruled that any company based in the West Bank or in east Jerusalem is not considered to be located in Israel.
“The borders of Israel in the view of EU are defined by the borders of 1967, “ he said.
Both sides are also interested to cool down the relations between Libya and Switzerland, said Asselborn.
Later the Kuwaiti delegation paid a visit to the site of European Satellite Society in Luxembourg.