Kuwaiti-Saudi relations are an exceptional and unique model based on solid foundations built on historical brotherly ties between the two leaderships and the two peoples.
The Saudi Crown Prince, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense Prince Mohammad bin Salman, will visit Kuwait as part of a GCC tour, before the Gulf summit which will be held mid-December.
Prince Mohammad bin Salman’s visit is the third since he took over as crown prince, as the first visit was in May 2015 when he was Deputy Crown Prince, and his 2nd was in September 2018 after becoming the Crown Prince on June 21, 2017.
The Kuwaiti-Saudi relations are deep-rooted, extending for more than 130 years, bypassing the dimensions of international relations to the concept of brotherhood, social ties, and the same destiny.
As part of continuing mutual visits, the visit of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah to the kingdom to head the Kuwaiti delegation, last January, to the Gulf Summit (Al-Ula), together with the visit of the Saudi king to Kuwait in December 2016.
The visit of His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah to the Kingdom on October 25 to attend the “Green Middle East Initiative” summit was a continuation of this approach, and it was the second visit for His Highness the Crown Prince following his first tour in June.
This exceptional relationship was manifested in its best form in the Saudi position in support of Kuwait and defending its legitimacy and independence during the brutal Iraqi invasion in 1990.
The Kingdom’s reception of Kuwait’s political leadership, the government and the people on its lands, providing assistance in all its forms and its active contribution to the establishment of the participating countries coalition in liberating Kuwait from the Iraqi occupation in 1991.
Furthermore, Kuwait has spared no effort in supporting Saudi Arabia at all levels in full solidarity with it in every measure taken to maintain its security and stability.
The cooperation between the two countries included all fields, leading to the establishment of the Gulf Cooperation Council on May 25, 1981, which accomplished many achievements for Gulf countries within the framework of joint action.
The two countries signed several agreements that covered various fields, including media, scientific, cultural, economic, air transport services, facilitating citizens’ movement of both countries, flow of goods across the borders, and exchange of scholarships for citizens of both countries.
They also inked memoranda of understanding for cooperation in fields of Islamic affairs and provide facilities for pilgrims, which are always preceded by coordination and consultative meetings, positively reflecting on the two brotherly people.
In pursuit of expanding cooperation in all fields, the two countries signed the minute of the Saudi-Kuwaiti Coordination Council on July 18th, 2018, which held its first meeting in Riyadh last June, and saw the signing of six agreements on cooperation in the field of youth, encouragement of direct investment, as well as education, scientific research and sports.
In the economic field, the two countries’ policy was characterized by compatibility and coordination, which played a major role in stabilizing oil prices in global markets within the framework of (OPEC+).
The two countries also contributed to maintaining stable energy supplies in a manner that protects the rights of producers and consumers alike considering the implications of the Coronavirus pandemic (Covid-19).
The total value of Kuwaiti exports to Saudi Arabia last year amounted to about KD 205 million (USD 676.5 million), compared to KD 197 million (USD 650) during 2019, while the total Saudi imports to Kuwait last year hit KD 504.5 million ( USD 1.6 billion), compared to KD 629.6 million in 2019.
Source: Kuwait News Agency