AMIR OFFERS PUTIN CONDOLENCES OVER LOSS OF AIRLINER – Sides agree ‘IS’ fight a top priority

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MOSCOW, Nov 10, (Agencies): His Highness the Amir on Tuesday made his first trip to Russia to confer with President Vladimir Putin on the regional crises and potential areas of cooperation, and a Kuwaiti investment agency allocated $500 million for projects in Russia. Putin welcomed HH the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah in the Black Sea resort of Sochi, saying he would like to discuss the difficult situation in the Middle East.

Russia along with the US, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Turkey and other nations took part in the Oct 30 Syria peace talks in Vienna. A second round of negotiations is set for this weekend. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said after the Russian-Kuwaiti talks Tuesday both nations believe that it’s necessary to stop fighting and launch political talks between the Syrian government and the opposition, and they also agree that fighting the Islamic State group should be a top priority. At the start of Tuesday’s meeting, Sheikh Sabah offered Putin condolences over the Oct 31 crash of a Russian passenger jet in Egypt that killed all 224 people on board.

US and British officials have cited intelligence reports as indicating that the plane was downed by a bomb. After the talks, Russian and Kuwaiti investment agencies signed an agreement to expand their cooperation, with the Kuwait Investment Authority (KIA) allocating an additional $500 million to investment projects in Russia. Officials from the two countries also signed a document on prospective cooperation in oil and gas and a memorandum on potential military-technical ties.

The Interfax news agency said that Moscow hopes that Kuwait could order Russian air defense missile systems, fighter jets, combat helicopters and other weapons. First Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah said that the Kuwaiti- Russian talks held in Sochi were “frank and positive.” An atmosphere of frankness and positivity dominated the talks of the two countries’ leaders, His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al- Sabah and President Vladimir Putin, Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled told a joint press conference with his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov.

Tackled
The talks tackled regional issues and developments and their repercussions on the region and the world, he said. He reiterated keenness of the two friendly countries on promoting bilateral ties to the level of strategic partnership. This has been reflected by the signing of a host of agreements and MoUs early Tuesday covering military, oil, investment, transport, cultural and education cooperation. Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled said that Kuwait regards with high appreciation Russia’s significant role in international peace and security, which is part of the country’s historical responsibility. The First Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister also appreciated Moscow’s role in the fight against terrorism.

The abhorrent phenomenon of terrorism poses a challenge to all as it targets the security, and stability of all, he said. Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled highlighted the significance of His Highness the Amir’s visit to Russia, enhanced by the exchange of views and mutual understanding to reach a political solution to the conflict in Syria. That diplomatic solution is a priority for the two countries, to end sufferings of the Syrian people, and help them realize their legitimate rights, the Foreign Minister said. According to the Kuwaiti chief diplomat, His Highness the Amir’s visit offered anopportunity for the leaders of the two countries to review the well-established bilateral historical ties, spanning over half a century. He recalled the fact that Kuwait was the first Gulf state to establish diplomatic ties with the once Soviet Union.

Bilateral friendly ties have extended over long years, during which the two countries, through mutual understanding and deep realization, with many regional and international issues, he said. Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled recalled with appreciation Russia’s honorable role when it supported Kuwait after the Iraqi invasion of the country in 1990. Putin presented on Tuesday His Highness the Amir with an old copy of the Russian newspaper Pravada dated March 13, 1962, which handled the forging of diplomatic relations between the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics and the State of Kuwait. Home His Highness the Amir and the official delegation accompanying him have since returned home.

His Highness the Amir was received by His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber AlSabah, National Assembly Speaker Marzouq Ali Al-Ghanim, His Highness Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammad Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Sheikh Mohammad Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah and senior army, police and National Guard commanders. His Highness the Amir was accompanied by First Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Sheikh Khaled Al-Jarrah Al-Sabah, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Anas Khaled Al-Saleh, Oil Minister and Minister of State for National Assembly Affairs Dr. Ali Saleh Al-Omair, Director of His Highness the Amir’s Office Ahmad Fahad Al-Fahad, Amiri Diwan Advisor Mohammad Abdullah Abulhassan, Chief of the Amiri Protocol Sheikh Khaled Al-Abdullah Al-Sabah Al- Nasser Al-Sabah and Deputy Foreign Minister Khaled Sulaiman Al-Jarallah. Other members of the delegation are Head of Media and Cultural Affairs at Amiri Diwan Yousef Hamad Al-Roumi, Head of the Political and Economic Affairs at Amiri Diwan Sheikh Fawaz Saud Nasser Saud Al-Sabah, Managing Director of Kuwait Investment Authority Bader Mohammad Al-Saad and senior officials at the Amiri Diwan, the Foreign Ministry as well as the Defense and Oil Ministries.

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