JAKARTA: Kuwait’s Ambassador to Indonesia Khaled Al-Yassin has stressed that Kuwait attaches great importance to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC) for its fundamental principles of promoting peace, stability, mutual respect, and non-interference, as well as its emphasis on the peaceful settlement of disputes. Speaking at the Second Conference of High Contracting Parties to the TAC, held at the ASEAN Secretariat in Jakarta, Al-Yassin reaffirmed Kuwait’s commitment to the treaty, which it acceded to in September 2023.

He said the treaty aligns with the principles of the UN Charter and supports the achievement of sustainable development goals while fostering joint cooperation and creating new economic opportunities. The ambassador highlighted Kuwait’s keenness to strengthen ties with ASEAN member states, as well as with international organizations and regional groups that share similar values and principles. He noted that this approach reflects Kuwait’s foreign policy of supporting multilateralism and expanding cooperation across regions.

In his opening remarks, ASEAN Secretary-General Dr Khaw Kim Horn described the TAC as a practical tool for enhancing shared responsibility among states. He said the treaty provides three main avenues: reaffirming commitment to its principles and objectives; expanding ASEAN’s values and norms to attract new partners; and utilizing its untapped potential in areas such as economic, cultural, scientific, and technical cooperation.

Horn underlined that since its adoption in 1976, the treaty has embodied the principles of peaceful dispute settlement and the rejection of the use of force, becoming a foundation of ASEAN’s “soft power.” He noted that the TAC has been a prerequisite for participation in ASEAN-led mechanisms such as the East Asia Summit and ASEAN Defense Ministers’ meetings, and that 57 countries have now acceded to it. He cautioned, however, that the treaty faces mounting challenges amid global tensions, conflicts, and the erosion of respect for international law, stressing that preventive diplomacy and consensus-building remain crucial to safeguarding peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific. 

Held under the theme “Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia: Challenges and Opportunities – Past, Present and Future”, the conference was convened at the invitation of Malaysia, ASEAN’s current chair. The event brought together ASEAN ambassadors, envoys of countries that have joined the TAC, and experts from the ASEAN Institute for Peace and Reconciliation. A panel discussion reviewed the treaty’s role in promoting regional stability and explored how its scope could be expanded to address modern geopolitical challenges. Participants also noted that the upcoming 50th anniversary of the treaty in 2026 represents an opportunity to reaffirm its principles and renew international commitment to multilateral cooperation. — KUNA

LISBON: Kuwait’s Ambassador to Portugal Hamad Al-Hazeem met with senior Portuguese economic figures to discuss preparations for Kuwait’s hosting of the 9th GCC-EU Business Forum, scheduled for November. Speaking to KUNA on Friday, Ambassador Al-Hazeem said he held talks with Armindo Monteiro, President of the Portuguese Business Confederation (CPB), during a meeting at the federation’s headquarters in Lisbon. The ambassador said the meeting reviewed a formal letter sent by the Kuwaiti Embassy inviting the Portuguese Business Confederation to participate in the upcoming forum, stressing the importance of the event and encouraging member companies and factories to actively engage.

Al-Hazeem emphasized that the 9th GCC-EU Business Forum will provide a significant opportunity to boost trade and investment cooperation between the Gulf Cooperation Council and the European Union. He also underlined the importance of further strengthening Kuwait–Portugal economic ties through increased trade visits and private-sector engagement, noting Kuwait’s growing commercial activity and private investment presence in the Portuguese market.

For his part, Monteiro welcomed Kuwait’s initiative to host the forum, describing it as a strategic platform to expand economic and trade cooperation between the GCC and the EU. He added that enhancing bilateral economic relations between Portugal and Kuwait would create new opportunities for Portuguese companies and deepen cooperation in sectors of mutual interest.

Monteiro explained that the Portuguese Business Confederation, established in 1974, is the country’s largest and most influential business federation, representing more than 150,000 companies and about 1.8 million workers — equivalent to 71 percent of Portugal’s GDP. He noted that the confederation, which is multi-sectoral and active nationwide, is the only Portuguese body participating in the European Social Dialogue and representing Portugal in leading international business federations. The GCC-EU Business Forum serves as a key platform for exchanging expertise, exploring trade and investment partnerships, and highlighting non-oil growth opportunities in the Gulf states in cooperation with European partners. — KUNA

 BERLIN: Ambassador of the State of Kuwait to the Federal Republic of Germany Reem Al-Khaled presented her credentials as the ambassador, extraordinary and plenipotentiary of the State of Kuwait to the Republic of Latvia to President Edgars Rinkevics at a ceremony held on Friday at the Presidential Palace in the capital, Riga.

In a statement, Ambassador Al-Khaled told KUNA that she had conveyed to President Rinkevics the greetings of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and His Highness the Crown Prince, Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah and their wishes for the Republic of Latvia and its friendly people for continued progress and prosperity.

The meeting addressed the distinguished bilateral relations between the two friendly countries and ways to strengthen them as well as a number of regional and international issues of mutual interest, she pointed out.

The Kuwaiti envoy expressed her aspiration to build an effective strategic partnership between the two friendly countries in the coming period through enhancing channels of political, economic, and cultural cooperation and exploring new venues for serving mutual interests and consolidating bilateral relations. — KUNA