SANTIAGO, July 28, (KUNA): Chilean President Sebastian Pinera underscored on Tuesday the achievements made by Kuwait under the rule of His Highness the Amir, and said that this success was a model for the world to follow given its democratic system and the peace, security and stability that its people enjoyed.
This came in a speech by the president following a ceremony during which Kuwait and Chile signed four cooperation agreements.
President Pinera said that Kuwait was a country of love and peace, and that its people, under the rule of the Al-Sabah family, had attained a prominent position for themselves in the Arabian Peninsula throughout history and to this day.
He noted that Chile had expressed its support for Kuwait from the very beginning when the Iraqi forces invaded the Gulf state in 1990, and that it condemned the aggression against the country, adding that Chile was happy with the development of Kuwait today, which was a model to be emulated by other countries around the world.
President Pinera expressed his appreciation to His Highness the Amir for his support and assistance to victims of the earthquake that hit Chile in February.
He also welcomed His Highness the Prime Minister and his delegation of officials and representatives of the business community, saying that this visit would increase cooperation between the two countries in the fields of politics, economy, culture and social aspects.
He noted that Kuwait was heading the current GCC round, making Chile more interested in raising cooperation with the Gulf states at very advanced levels, and to sign a free trade agreement.
On his part, His Highness Sheikh Nasser expressed his appreciation for the warm welcome with which he and the accompanying delegation were received in Chile, saying that this reflected the depth of relations between the two countries.
He also said that Chile’s stance during the aggression on Kuwait, and its rejection of the occupation and its support for the Gulf state’s legitimate rights was one that was remembered by Kuwaitis and would not be forgotten.
Sheikh Nasser also lauded the struggle of the people of Chile against colonization and their sacrifice to gain freedom and independence, as well as its perseverance in building this country for over 200 years.
The Kuwaiti premier and the Chilean president had witnessed the ceremony during which four agreements were signed between their countries.
The first agreement is to establish a joint committee for cooperation between the governments of Kuwait and Chile. It was signed by Kuwait’s Deputy Premier and Foreign Minister Sheikh Dr. Mohammad Sabah Al-Salem Al-Sabah and Chile’s Minister of Foreign Relations Alfredo Moreno Charme.
As for the second agreement, it was on economic and technical cooperation. It was signed by Kuwait’s Finance Minister Mustafa Jassem Al-Shimali and Chile’s Minister of Foreign Relations Alfredo Moreno Charme.
The third agreement was for commercial cooperation. It was signed by Kuwait’s Minister of Commerce and Industry Ahmad Rashed Al-Haroun, and Chile’s Minister of Foreign Relations Alfredo Moreno Charme.
Meanwhile, the fourth agreement was for aviation services. It was signed by Director General of Kuwait’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation Bader Abdullah Butaiban, and Chile’s Minister of Foreign Relations Alfredo Moreno Charme.
Meanwhile, the international scope for trade and economic activity adopted and maintained by Chile strongly bolsters the country’s weight and economic status, helped also by its geographical location and good relations with countries of the region.
This view was expressed by member of the board of the Kuwaiti Chamber of Commerce and Industry Talal Jassem Al-Kharafi Tuesday night, who also said other parties and states realized the value of such model and the value of establishing free trade zones in Chile, such as the US.
The political stability of recent years, he added, is a great attraction to investors. This was reflected in increase in tourism and industrial investments recently which proved successful.
His Highness the Prime Minister of Kuwait Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammad Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah arrived in the Argentinean capital, Buenos Aires on Wednesday - the seventh stop of his official tour of Latin America and the Caribbean.
Receiving His Highness the Prime Minister at the airport was Argentina’s Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs Alberto D’Alotto along with other officials and ambassadors of the respective countries.
Sheikh Nasser is expected to hold a meeting with the Argentinean President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner, during which both officials are to hold official talks related to bilateral relations and means to enhance them in various fields.
The two sides are also expected to sign a number of agreements and memorandums of understanding in the fields of the environment, culture and scientific and technological cooperation.