HH Crown Prince visit milestone in ties

BERN, Sept 29: Official talks between the State of Kuwait and the Swiss Confederation were held in Bern, led by His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah for Kuwait and President Guy Parmelin of Switzerland. At the outset, His Highness conveyed His Highness the Amir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah’s greetings to President Parmelin and wishes for his good health and continued progress and prosperity for Switzerland and its people. The talks reviewed bilateral relations and ways to strengthen cooperation across various fields and broaden its scope in support of their common interests. The two sides also discussed key issues of mutual concern, the latest regional and international developments, and exchanged views on them.

The Kuwaiti delegation included Foreign Minister Sheikh Jarrah Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, Director General of the Kuwait Direct Investment Promotion Authority (KDIPA) Sheikh Dr. Meshaal Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, Ambassador Mansour Ayad Al-Otaibi, Kuwait’s Ambassador to Switzerland Yousef Ahmad Abdulsamad, Assistant Foreign Minister for European Affairs Ambassador Najeeb Abdulrahman Al-Bader, Kuwait’s Permanent Representative to the UN and other international organizations in Geneva Ambassador Nasser Abdullah Al-Hayen, Crown Prince’s Office Director Major General Ahmad Abdulrahman Al-Dai, and Assistant Foreign Minister for the Minister’s Office Abdullah Nasser Al-Obaidi. The Swiss delegation included National Council member and head of the Swiss-Kuwaiti Parliamentary Friendship Group Hans-Peter Portmann, SECO Federal Council delegate for trade agreements and Head of Bilateral Economic Relations Andrea Rauber Saxer, Swiss Foreign Ministry Assistant Director General and Head of Europe and Middle East Affairs Didier Chassot, Head of International Security Gabriel Luchinger, Head of Middle East and North Africa Affairs Monika Schmutz Kirgoz, Swiss President’s Diplomatic Adviser Simon Pidoux, Senior Adviser to the Swiss President Miriam Gurtner, and Acting Head of Bilateral Economic Relations for Africa and the Middle East Alois Passaplan.

The official visit by His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al- Sabah to Switzerland represents a significant milestone in strengthening and expanding bilateral relations across several strategic fields, Swiss Ambassador to Kuwait Tiziano Balmelli affirmed on Tuesday. The visit concludes the two countries’ celebrations of the 60th anniversary of diplomatic ties, Balmelli told KUNA. The Kuwait-Switzerland relations are a long-standing and deep-rooted friendship throughout history, he added, noting that the two countries share main values represented in peace, dialogue and wellestablished humanitarian traditions. Ties between the two countries have been developing in some fields, mainly economy, through forums and tourist initiatives and expanding direct flights, he stated. The ambassador lauded the deep-rooted humanitarian bonds between the two peoples as several Kuwaiti families consider Switzerland their “second country”, he pointed out.

His Highness the Crown Princes visit is an opportunity to strengthen bilateral collaboration in several strategic sectors, he said. The visit came in the wake of launching some initiatives such as Swiss Kuwaiti Business Days and operating direct seasonal fl ights to Zurich in a manner that contributes to enhancing trade and investment in the private sector, he noted. The visit will also contribute to consolidating joint humanitarian cooperation, he said, citing an ongoing joint development project in Sudan implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and co-funded by the development agencies of both countries. In addition, the ambassador recalled the most prominent milestones in the Kuwaiti-Swiss relations over the past six decades, referring that the 1990 Iraqi invasion and occupation of Kuwait served as a significant moment demonstrating Swiss solidarity with Kuwait. At that time, the Swiss authorities extended the residencies of hundreds of Kuwaiti families and organizing study for their students, he said, noting that the position has contributed to strengthening confidence ties and mutual respect between the two sides.

He pointed to the two countries celebration of the 50th anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations in Bern in 2016, stating that the Kuwait delegation to the celebration was led by His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled who served as Kuwait’s First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs. Furthermore, the ambassador referred to the visit of former Swiss President Alain Berset to the State of Kuwait in December 2023 to offer official condolences following the passing of the late Amir, describing it as a “gesture of true and sincere friendship” that was deeply appreciated. He pointed out that the former Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis visited Kuwait in October 2025 to inaugurate the new Swiss Embassy, considering the step as a significant investment and a sign of confidence in the future of bilateral relations. Balmelli stated that the celebrations of the 60th anniversary of diplomatic ties began in 2026 with an official visit of the President of the Swiss Federation Guy Parmelin to Kuwait last February.

Cooperation between the two sides over the past years focused on some areas: humanitarian assistance, development, trade and investment as well as scientific research along with tourism and air connectivity, he elaborated. The ambassador pointed to a Memorandum of Understanding signed between the Kuwait Danish Dairy Company (KDD) and the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich, alongside the two countries contributions as donors to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). Travel movement and cultural exchange have rapidly been developed with operating three Kuwait Airways direct fl ights to Zurich every week during summer, along with the upcoming fl ights to Geneva and Milan, he noted. He voiced Swiss governments support for full a full visa exemption for Kuwaiti passport holders. The decision-making process in this regard is subject to the applicable procedures within the European Union, he elaborated. The future of Kuwait-Switzerland relations is extremely promising, he said, expecting a growth in economic partnerships. He hoped that the Swiss companies would resume projects in Kuwaits public infrastructure. He further stressed the importance for the two countries - as two small, trade-dependent nations, to continue their joint work to promote dialogue, peace, and justice amid the challenges and instability on the international stage. Joint humanitarian cooperation is projected to expand in the coming period, he concluded.  (KUNA)