TOKYO: Kuwait and Japan agreed to upgrade their bilateral relations to a “comprehensive strategic partnership”, which reflects the depth of the relationship and opens new horizons for cooperation. The agreement is a fruit of the official visit by HH the Crown Prince of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah to Japan on May 28-31, a press release from the Kuwaiti ministry of foreign affairs said on Thursday.
HH the Crown Prince earlier on Thursday met Japanese Emperor Naruhito. HH the Crown Prince conveyed greetings and best wishes of welfare from HH the Amir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah to Emperor Naruhito and the Japanese people. The meeting focused on the close historic relations between the two countries in the past six decades, which saw great leaps in various fields, reflecting the aspirations of people in both countries.
HH the Crown Prince held talks with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba on Thursday on ways to strengthen the relations in various vital areas and serve the mutual interests of both nations amid regional and international changes. They agreed that upgrading the bilateral relations in the political, economic and humanitarian fields materializes both nations’ shared commitment to enhancing security, stability and prosperity on regional and international scales, the statement noted.
TOKYO: HH the Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah meets Japanese Emperor Naruhito (left) and Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba (right) on May 29, 2025. – KUNA/AFP photos
The talks were preceded by an official reception ceremony for HH the Crown Prince by the Japanese prime minister, which included a military parade and the playing of the national anthems of the countries. During the reception, HH the Crown Prince expressed his sincere thanks and appreciation for the warm welcome and generous hospitality, and conveyed the best greetings of HH the Amir Sheikh Meshal to Japan and its friendly people.
He affirmed Kuwait’s desire to enhance the bilateral ties between the two countries to reach the level of strategic partnership. He also lauded Japan’s supportive stance for Kuwaiti rights during the brutal Iraqi invasion of Kuwait in 1990, recalling the historical relations that have bound the two friendly countries since 1958. Ishiba welcomed the official visit of HH the Crown Prince, praising the depth of the historical relations that bind the two friendly countries and peoples. The latest regional and global developments were touched on during the talks. – KUNA
Erdogan gifts Amir Turkish-made EV • Leaders hold official talks • Key agreements inked
KUWAIT: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and an accompanying delegation arrived in Kuwait on Tuesday on an official visit. Heading the reception at Kuwait International Airport were HH the Amir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and HH the Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah. Also present were HH the Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Al-Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah and senior ministers and state officials.
HH the Amir Sheikh Meshal received a gift from Erdogan at Bayan Palace. The gift, an emblem of Erdogan’s appreciation and pride in the bilateral ties between the two nations, is a Turkish-made Togg electric vehicle. HH the Amir voiced his sincere appreciation for this generous gesture, wishing the President and the Turkish people further progress and prosperity.
HH the Amir held official talks at Bayan Palace with Erdogan, attended by HH the Crown Prince, HH the Prime Minister and senior officials from both sides. Minister of Amiri Diwan Affairs Sheikh Hamad Jaber Al-Ali Al-Sabah said during the talks, the two sides reviewed bilateral relations between Kuwait and Turkey, discussed means of strengthening cooperation in various fields and exchanged views on key regional and international developments of mutual concern.
HH the Amir Sheikh Meshal welcomes President Erdogan before holding official talks.
In the presence of HH the Amir and Erdogan, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and Kuwait’s First Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Sheikh Fahad Al-Yousef pose after signing an agreement between the two countries.
The meeting reflected the spirit of friendship and understanding between the two countries, affirming their mutual desire to enhance cooperation across all domains in a manner that serves their common interests and promotes regional stability. Preserving the hard-won ceasefire recently achieved in Gaza between the Zionist entity and the Palestinian group Hamas is critically important, Erdogan said Tuesday, according to a statement by the Turkish Communications Directorate. “Emphasizing the critical importance of maintaining the strenuously achieved ceasefire in Gaza, President Erdogan stated that a two-state solution is imperative for lasting peace, and highlighted the significance of the Islamic world’s common stance on this matter,” said the directorate.
The statement also said that Erdogan “stressed Turkiye’s resolve in upholding Syria’s political unity and territorial integrity, and expressed the desire to move forward together with the brotherly Arab states in building a promising future for the Syrian people.” On bilateral ties, Erdogan said the existing cooperation between Turkey and Kuwait in the fields of investment, energy, trade and the defense industry carries strategic importance. “President Erdogan stressed the potential to further enhance the deep-rooted bilateral ties,” the statement said.
“President Erdogan expressed appreciation for Kuwait’s efforts to promote regional stability as the current Chair of the Gulf Cooperation Council, and remarked that the free trade agreement, still under negotiation between Turkiye and the GCC, would further strengthen Turkiye’s commercial relations with the brotherly Gulf countries,” it added.
HH the Amir then held a banquet in honor of Erdogan and his accompanying delegation. Later, in the presence of HH the Amir and Erdogan, HH the Crown Prince and HH the Prime Minister, a number of agreements were signed at Bayan Palace between Kuwait and Turkey. The agreements include a maritime transport agreement and a memorandum of understanding on the mutual recognition of seafarers’ certificates; a memorandum on cooperation in the energy sector; and a memorandum on cooperation in the field of direct investment incentives. Erdogan and his accompanying delegation then departed from Kuwait, heading to Qatar. Bidding him farewell at the airport were HH the Crown Prince, HH the Prime Minister and top state officials. – Agencies
KUWAIT: Minister of Public Works Dr Noura Al-Mashaan on Tuesday signed a contract with the Turkish company Kozo for the construction, operation, and maintenance of a wastewater treatment plant in South Al-Mutlaa City, along with its complementary works. In a press statement, the Ministry of Public Works said the project is part of the ministry’s development plan and is designed to serve the residents of Al-Mutlaa City.
The plant will produce around 400,000 cubic meters of triple-treated water daily for agricultural and other beneficial uses. The ministry added that the facility represents a pioneering step in the adoption of alternative energy technologies, reflecting Kuwait’s commitment to sustainable infrastructure development and environmental conservation. — KUNA
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