Embassy hosts reception at Four Seasons Hotel

KUWAIT: Ambassador of Canada to Kuwait Martine Moreau (left) and Assistant Undersecretary at Kuwait’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs Reem Al-Khaled cut the cake during a reception to celebrate ‘Canada150.’

KUWAIT: A reception celebrating 'Canada150' was held on Tuesday at the Four Seasons Hotel in Kuwait City. Assistant Minister and Kuwait Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Reem Al-Khaled graced the occasion and was warmly welcomed at the venue by Ambassador of Canada to Kuwait Martine Moreau.

"2017 has been a truly exceptional year for Canadians, as we celebrate the 150th anniversary of our confederation. During this milestone year, which has been named 'Canada150,' Canadians at home and around the world are celebrating not only their inclusive ethnic, cultural and linguistic mosaic, but also their country's natural beauty, rich history, heritage and longstanding democratic values," Moreau said.

According to Moreau, Canada has invited the world to join Canadians in celebrating, exploring and participating in the best that their nation has to offer. "With this in mind, our embassy has been marking 'Canada150' with our friends in Kuwait in the form of some unique events. These include, of course, our national day reception (Tuesday) evening, last week's very first Canada-Kuwait friendship hockey tournament and what has turned out to be a truly remarkable Canadian-themed student art competition organized in cooperation with Kuwait Times and Kuwait's Ministry of Education," she said.

Some of the students' works were displayed at the reception. "The works exhibited here are some of the beautiful artworks we received throughout the competition. With some 12,000 students from 175 schools participating, I must say it has been truly heartwarming to see such an extraordinary level of enthusiasm and interest by these students in discovering Canada and providing their artistic interpretations in keeping with our 150th anniversary theme," she added.

The competition turnout, according to Moreau, speaks volumes about the special relationship that Canada enjoys with Kuwait. "Indeed, we share many common values that strongly underpin our close friendship and strong bilateral partnership - a partnership that seeks to enhance cooperation, strengthen commerce and expand shared expertise in a wide range of fields, while increasing and broadening people-to-people links. I am very confident that the excellent relations that exist between our two countries will continue to advance and prosper," Moreau said.

By Ben Garcia