Armenia National Day highlights robust Kuwait ties

KUWAIT CITY, Sept 30: Ambassador of the Republic of Armenia to Kuwait Dr. Arsen Arakelyan has affirmed the depth of Kuwaiti-Armenian relations. Speaking at a reception organized by the Embassy of Armenia on the occasion of the Armenian National Day, Arakelyan revealed that his country is proud of the strong ties with Kuwait and the mutual trust that is the foundation of a growing partnership between the two nations. Present at the event were Deputy Foreign Minister Ambassador Hamad Al-Mashaan, officials, heads of diplomatic missions and members of the Armenian community.

Arakelyan praised the role of Kuwait on the regional and international stages, for promoting peace and dialogue, supporting efforts to resolve conflicts peacefully, and undertaking humanitarian initiatives to provide aid to areas affected by conflict and disaster. He stressed that Armenia appreciates the steadfast stance of Kuwait in support of efforts to maintain peace and stability in South Caucasus. He reiterated that his country rejects any approach based on resolving conflicts through force, while it remains committed to the law on international relations and its advocacy for settling disputes through political and diplomatic means. He said the diplomatic relations between Armenia and Kuwait were established in 1994, Armenia opened its embassy in Kuwait in 2010, and Kuwait opened its embassy in Armenia in 2011.

He indicated that bilateral relations have since witnessed continuous development, resulting in agreements and memoranda of understanding covering economics, investment, agriculture, tourism, culture, education, air transport and other sectors that serve the interests of the two nations. He lauded the support of Kuwait for educational and cultural cooperation, revealing that Kuwait University provided about 70 scholarships to Yerevan State University in recent years. He added that support from the Kuwaiti Al-Babtain Foundation enabled the Center for Arabic Literature at Yerevan State University to operate successfully and contributed to a remarkable increase in the number of students who opted to study the Arabic language in Armenia. He expressed the Armenian government’s deep gratitude to the government and people of Kuwait for this support. He also pointed out that both countries are taking concrete steps to unlock new potential for cooperation between their governments. He highlighted the first trade forum for businesspeople from Armenia and Kuwait, held in January, which was hosted by the Kuwait Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), in coordination with the Armenian Embassy in Kuwait and the Kuwaiti Embassy in Armenia. He disclosed that the forum is a milestone in the commercial and economic relations between the two countries, adding that meetings were held with the Kuwaiti government officials, state institutions, commercial enterprises and private investment firms to explore cooperation opportunities in different sectors. He revealed that discussions are currently underway with the Kuwaiti side regarding the reconvening of the Armenian- Kuwaiti Joint Governmental Committee, while welcoming the participation of a Kuwaiti business delegation in the second business-to-business trade forum.

On the economy, he cited the developments that Armenia witnessed in recent years, such as the diversification of its international economic partnerships and enhanced its appeal as a tourism, cultural and investment destination. He stated that the information technology and software sector is one of the fastest growing industries and the cornerstone of the national economy, pointing out that the number of technology companies in Armenia has increased more than 12 times since 2018. He pointed out the construction or rehabilitation of about 5,000 kilometers of roads from 2018 to 2026, which improved internal connectivity and supported regional development. He also mentioned the artificial intelligence facilities and data centers powered by NVIDIA Blackwell technology— with estimated investments reaching $7 billion. He invited interested Kuwaiti entities to participate in this growth through investment and collaboration. He confirmed the potential for both countries to strengthen and expand cooperation, particularly in the fields of trade, tourism, science, education, modern technology, student exchange programs, sports and culture.

He underscored the importance of facilitating high-level reciprocal visits and solidifying coordination among government committees, sectoral bodies and trade delegations in order to open new horizons for partnership between the two nations. He indicated that the Armenian and Kuwaiti governments are keen on cooperating within the multilateral forums. He expects the participation of a high-level Kuwaiti delegation in the 17th Conference of the Parties (COP17), which will be held in Armenia. He expressed his appreciation for the Armenian community in Kuwait, as most of them consider Kuwait their second home and consider Kuwaitis their brothers. He commended the efforts of Armenian charitable, cultural and sports organizations in Kuwait, specifically their role in preserving and developing Armenian cultural heritage through participation in local activities, which enrich social life in Kuwait. He thanked all those present at the event, conveying the warmest sentiments of affection and friendship from Armenia to Kuwait. He wished Kuwait and its people continuous progress, prosperity, security and stability.

By Bassam Al-Qassas Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff