Amiri Gulf mediation hailed – ‘Cup’ raised

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HH the Amir holds talks at the Seif Palace with visiting former UN secretary-general Ban Ki-moon

KUWAIT CITY, Oct 9, (KUNA): The visiting President of the Swiss National Council Jurg Stahl on Monday expressed gratitude to His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah for playing a mediation role to settle the inter-GCC question. “We have thanked (His Highness) the Amir for the difficult mediation (mission) with Qatar and the other neighbors,” said Stahl in a statement to reporters as he emerged from a meeting with His Highness the Amir at Seif Palace. “I personally think this is an important engagement on part of His Highness the Amir,” added the chief Swiss legislator, who was accompanied by National Assembly Speaker Marzouq Ali Al-Ghanim during the meeting with His Highness.

The senior Swiss lawmaker expressed satisfaction at the cordial relationship with the State of Kuwait. “I think Kuwait and Switzerland share challenges however we have friends across the globe,” he said further, indicating necessity of shared diplomacy to address common issues and problems. “We will work (together) for the next generation and I hope Kuwait and Switzerland will go more (ahead) for boosting educational, business and economic cooperation,” Stahl stated. “Thank you for your warm welcome in your beautiful country,” he concluded.

His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al Sabah, who had spent long years of his life running the foreign portfolio, had expressed deep sorrow and extreme concern over the ongoing dispute and subsequent rift in relations between Qatar and its Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) neighbors, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and the UAE, as well as Egypt. Nevertheless, His Highness the Amir had affirmed that he remained determined to carry on with his mediation efforts to clear up any strains among the brotherly GCC countries.

Kuwait had played a key role in establishing the GCC in the early 80s, amid mounting regional tensions and a major war between Iran and Iraq. The bloc, set up to boost inter-Gulf cooperation in various fields, includes Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Bahrain and Oman.

Kuwait and Switzerland have maintained close ties since years ago. Kuwaiti investment in the European nation are estimated at $10 billion. Former United Nations Secretary— General Ban Ki-moon said on Sunday that he was “honored to have met His Highness the Amir of Kuwait”, in his first visit to an Arab country after retiring from the UN.

On his encounter with His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, the former UN chief said that “very important issues were discussed,” both at regional and international levels. He applauded his Highness the Amir’s earnest efforts as mediator in an ongoing Gulf crisis involving Qatar and a quartet of Arab nations, saying he was hopeful that tensions would be defused soon. He also appreciated His Highness the Amir’s “continuing compassionate leadership” to assist nations embroiled in confl ict, naming Yemen and Syria as examples. The former UN secretary — general congratulated Kuwait on winning a non-permanent seat in the UN Security Council, which he said was a testament to the country’s growing presence on the international stage.

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