KUWAIT: His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah meets with Australia’s Governor General Peter John Cosgrove, in the presence of His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah. — Amiri Diwan photos KUWAIT: His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah meets with Australia’s Governor General Peter John Cosgrove, in the presence of His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah. — Amiri Diwan photos

KUWAIT: His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah received yesterday at Bayan Palace the visiting Australia's Governor General Peter John Cosgrove and his accompanying delegation. Official talks convened between the two sides headed by His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah and senior state officials, whereas Governor General Peter John Cosgrove represented the Australian side.

Deputy Minister of Amiri Diwan Affairs Sheikh Ali Jarrah Al-Sabah said the two sides delved during their friendly talks into bilateral relations and ways to enhance them in various fields. The talks were dominated by a cordial and friendly atmosphere reflecting on the deep-rooted ties between the two countries. Later, His Highness the Amir held a luncheon in honor of the visiting Australian Governor and his delegation. Also yesterday, the Australian official met separately with National Assembly Speaker Marzouq Al-Ghanem, as well as His Highness Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak and First Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah.

Humanitarian leadership

Meanwhile, His Highness the Amir received the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi and his accompanying delegation on the occasion of his visit to the country. Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled attended the meeting.

UN's High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi handed His Highness the Amir a special book titled 'Kuwait's response' about Kuwait's humanitarian role. Grandi expressed his honor for meeting His Highness the Amir, adding that the purpose of his visit is to thank His Highness for his humanitarian leadership.

He also extended his thanks to Kuwaiti people for "supporting refugees in many parts of the world and particularly Syrian refugees." "We have had important meetings with the minister of foreign affairs and with the Director General of Kuwait Fund for development, and I think there is potential for further cooperation," Grandi added.

Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled meanwhile commended the UN refugee agency's humanitarian contributions to help people in need worldwide. He made his remarks during a separate meeting with Grandi held on Saturday, and emphasized international humanitarian action was an integral part of Kuwait's foreign policy.

Grandi praised Kuwait's efforts to spreading humanitarian principles around the world, driven by its quest to help the others and UN's naming of His Highness the Amir as Humanitarian Leader, and Kuwait as Humanitarian Center. He said Kuwait has always supported people in need worldwide specially the Syrian people, manifested in hosting three conferences to support the Syrian people and co-chairing a fourth meeting in London.

The meeting was attended by Deputy Foreign Minister Khaled Al-Jarallah, Assistant Foreign Minister for the Minister's office Sheikh Dr Ahmad Nasser Mohammad Al-Sabah, Assistant Foreign Minister for Protocol Dhari Al-Ajran and Deputy Assistant Foreign Minister for International Organizations Nasser Al-Hain.

State officials

Earlier yesterday, His Highness the Amir received His Highness Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad, Marzouq Al-Ghanem and Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled. He also received His Highness Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak after his return from the United States, where he represented His Highness the Amir in the signing ceremony of a new global agreement on climate which took place at the United Nations' Headquarters. Meanwhile, His Highness the Crown Prince received Ghanem, His Highness Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak, Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled, Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Sheikh Mohammad Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah and Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Sheikh Khaled Al-Jarrah Al-Sabah. His Highness the Crown Prince also received Minister of Information and Minister of State for Youth Affairs Sheikh Salman Sabah Al-Salem Al-Humoud Al-Sabah and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah. - KUNA