KUWAIT, LUXEMBOURG EXPRESS DETERMINATION TO DEEPEN BILATERAL COOPERATION

LUXEMBOURG, Feb 27 (NNN-KUNA) — Kuwait’s Deputy Premier and Foreign Minister Sheikh Dr. Mohammad Sabah Al-Salem Al-Sabah met Friday evening with Luxembourg’s Foreign Minister Jean Asselborn and discussed bilateral ties, EU-Kuwait relations, the Middle East peace process, Iran and the recent killing of a Hamas leader in Dubai.

“We had a very fruitful discussion today and I would reiterate our full support to the candidature of Luxembourg for the Security Council. This is a small token of appreciation that we can give to our friends in Luxembourg,” Sheikh Mohammad told a joint press conference after the meeting.

He noted that 19 years ago “Luxembourg stood beside Kuwait and helped Kuwait to regain its liberty. This is something we will never forget.”

On his part, Asselborn said, “We have good bilateral relations and very positive cooperation and we can increase them.”

Noting that Kuwait this year holds the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) presidency, he hoped that the EU and GCC would be able to bring the long-talked about Free Trade Agreement to a solution in 2010.

Asselborn said the Luxembourg-based Cargolux has have three flights a week to Kuwait.

“We are open to accept Kuwait companies here in Luxembourg,” he said.
Kuwait Petroleum International (Q8) has invested more than 50 million euros in Luxembourg.
Since 1983, Q8 has a storage capacity of six million litres and this is an essential element of Luxembourg’s national security and supply for petrol, noted Asselborn.

The Kuwaiti foreign minister said the technological base that Luxembourg can provide and the capital base that Kuwait can provide can work in a very harmonious manner.

“Luxembourg is a major hub for Q8 and Luxembourg is very business friendly. It provides unique opportunity for companies to be based here. We have the oldest sovereign wealth fund. It was established in 1955 by the Kuwait Investment authority and its Director is to visit Luxembourg,” he said.

“We agreed to work together to conclude the Free Trade Agreement between the EU and GCC in 2010,” said Sheikh Mohammad.

Sheikh Dr. Mohammad arrived here Friday afternoon on a one-day visit to Luxembourg.

The Kuwaiti delegation at the meetings included Director of the Foreign Minister’s Office Ambassador Sheikh Dr. Ahmad Nasser Al-Mohammad Al-Sabah, Kuwait’s Ambassador to Belgium and Luxembourg Nabeela Al-Mulla, Counselor Bassam Al-Qabandi and other members of the delegation accompanying the minister.

They also discussed the recent criminal act that took place in the Emirates where a Palestinian national was assassinated using faked European passports, said Sheikh Mohammad.

“This is not only a violation of the Emirates’ and Dubai’s sovereignty, but also a violation of those countries whose passports were forged,” he said.

“We are equally concerned about the Israeli assassination of Palestinian history and heritage as we can see in Hebron where they are trying to confiscate the history of the Palestinians by claiming the Ibrahimi mosque.

This is of major concern for all peace-loving countries around the world,” said the Kuwaiti foreign minister.

On the assassination of senior Hamas leader Mahmoud Al-Mabhouh in Dubai, Asselborn said there “is really no proof as to who is responsible behind the killing.”

“There must be an investigation to prove the responsibility of this act. European passports have been manipulated to commit a crime and that cannot be accepted. We must find out who is behind this crime,” stressed the foreign minister of Luxembourg.
On Iran, the Kuwaiti foreign minister said that every country has the right to develop nuclear energy for peaceful purpose.

“We strongly encourage Iran to abide by the IAEA requirements,” he said, adding that the issue should be resolved through negotiations.

The Kuwait delegation later also held a meeting with very important finance figures from Luxembourg.

“Islamic finance offers us numerous opportunities to work together,” said Asselborn.

On the Middle East Peace Process, Asselbron said both sides support a two-state solution.

He described the decision by the Luxembourg-based European Court of Justice ruling on Wednesday on Israel as “interesting and very important decision.”

The court ruled that any company based in the West Bank or in east Jerusalem is not considered to be located in Israel.

“The borders of Israel in the view of EU are defined by the borders of 1967, ” he said.
Both sides are also interested to cool down the relations between Libya and Switzerland, said Asselborn.

Later the Kuwaiti delegation paid a visit to the site of European Satellite Society in Luxembourg. — NNN-KUNA

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