Progress made in Schengen visa for Kuwaitis; ‘exemption or five years’

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KUWAIT CITY, March 23: Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdullah Al-Yahya says progress is being made regarding the Schengen visa for Kuwaiti citizens through multiple avenues. Either an exemption will be granted or a solution similar to the arrangement with Britain will be pursued, which would entail a long-term online visa for five years. Regarding the upcoming European parliamentary elections in June and the Kuwaiti movements, he revealed that invitations were received from more than one party. Al-Yahya said this in a press statement after he was received for two days at the Al-Yahya Diwan in Mansouriya.

On the first day, citizens were received, and on the second day, members of the diplomatic corps were received. He said, “We are almost done with Canada, as there are some small conditions yet to be finalized. They sent conditions, which were directed to the official government agencies. They are currently with the Ministry of the Interior to complete the file, which will happen before summer”. Regarding the visit of the Secretary- General of the Gulf Cooperation Council and his support for this file, Al-Yahya said, “He represents the Gulf group. There is comprehensive coordination with the Gulf countries. God willing, we will do what is best for the people.” Also, he explained that all the vacancies in the Kuwaiti embassies in several countries have been filled. There is a plan to fill them according to criteria that were set by the decisions of the Council of Ministers for leaders both inside and outside the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. All these conditions have been completed and were presented to the Council of Ministers yesterday. It will be implemented shortly.

He said, “We began movements more than two months ago through which we participated in several conferences in the Islamic Conference, the Arab League, the Gulf Cooperation Council countries, and the Munich Security Conference, in addition to the Human Rights Council. In the speeches we delivered at these conferences, we focused on Gaza and our concern for our people in Palestine. The issue is extremely important and within the concerns of our political leadership. We have also focused on resuming donations and aid from the International Agency for the Relief of Palestine Refugees. Thank God, many countries have affirmed their pledges for the upcoming shares, the first of which is Canada, Germany, and Sweden among others. Stopping the war is a basic criterion and it seems that there are breakthroughs. We also hear that there are agreements that will be concluded at the end of it, God willing, in the coming weeks.”

Regarding US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken’s visit to the region and the presence of pressure to stop the war, the minister said, “There is pressure from all sides including the European and Arab countries, and at the highest level. There are breakthroughs soon, and the steps taking place in the region, either Arab, Gulf, Islamic, or even European, can no longer tolerate the massacres that are taking place in Palestine. The Americans have their calculations and elections. These conditions will be in the interest of the Palestinian people shortly.”

Regarding receiving citizens and the diplomatic corps in the Al-Yahya Diwan, the minister expressed his happiness with these meetings, adding, “God willing, they will continue during Ramadan or on other occasions. Diwaniya is an important matter and in Kuwait it is called small parliaments. Here, all Kuwaiti issues and issues of concern to the citizens, the world and the region in general are discussed.” In conclusion, he said, “The atmosphere this year is different with the presence of a new government under His Highness the Amir Sheikh Mishaal Al-Ahmad, and His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Dr. Mohammad Sabah Al-Salem. There are also elections in Ramadan. This year is considered busy and hot, and we hope its results will be good for the people of Kuwait.”
By Fares Al-Abdan
Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff

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