KUWAIT: Children wave Kuwaiti flags during a previous National Day celebration. - KUNA

KUWAIT: His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah received yesterday congratulatory cables marking the 59th National Day and 29th anniversary of the Liberation Day from His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah.

His Highness the Amir received cables from National Assembly Speaker Marzouq Ali Al-Ghanem, Chief of the Kuwait National Guard His Highness Sheikh Salem Al-Ali Al-Sabah, Deputy Chief of the Kuwait National Guard Sheikh Meshaal Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, His Highness Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammad Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah and His Highness Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah. They expressed loyalty to the beloved homeland, praying to His Almighty Allah to protect and preserve Kuwait under the wise leadership, whom they wished and prayed for long lasting health and prosperity.

In return, His Highness the Amir expressed his appreciation and sincere prayers for well-wishers and Kuwaiti people. His Highness the Amir also received cables from GCC leaders. In addition, His Highness the Amir replied in a cable expressing deep appreciation for the GCC leaders and wishing good relations between Kuwait and brotherly countries for further development and growth.

Meanwhile, His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah exchanged yesterday greetings with local officials on the advent of the 59th National Day and 29th Liberation Anniversary. His Highness the Crown Prince received a cable from Speaker of the National Assembly Marzouq Al-Ghanem and MPs who congratulated His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf and His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah on the national occasions.

The cable wished the Kuwaiti leadership and people ever more progress and success. His Highness the Crown Prince sent a cable in return, thanking Speaker Ghanem and MPs on their sincere wishes. Furthermore, His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf exchanged national days greetings with Kuwait National Guard (KNG) Chief Sheikh Salem Al-Ali Al-Sabah and Sheikh Mubarak Al-Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah.

His Highness Sheikh Nawaf also exchanged cables with Deputy Chief of KNG Sheikh Meshaal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, His Highness Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammad Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah and His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, as well as ministers, governors, diplomats, in addition to a number of citizens and expatriates.

Kuwait celebrates today the 59th National Day, which coincides with the 14th anniversary of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah assumption of office as the ruler of Kuwait amid celebrations of patriotism and loyalty. Kuwait celebrated its first national day back in 1962, one year after gaining independence in June 19, 1961.

The first national day celebration also coincided with the first steps Kuwait took to establish its political system with a constitution that would organizes the governmental work based on democratic principles compatible with the reality of Kuwait and its goals. The draft constitution was the most prominent achievements of that historic phase approved by the late Amir Sheikh Abdullah Al-Salem Al-Sabah in November 1962, announcing the start of the constitutional legitimacy stage with the first legislative elections that took place on January 23, 1963.

Balanced foreign policy
Since its independence, Kuwait has endeavored to pursue a moderate and balanced foreign policy, taking into account a number of principles, including communication with other countries, friendship and peace, human development, economic prosperity, cooperation with regional and international organizations, and support efforts aimed at bringing security and stability to the world. Kuwait was able to establish strong relations with brotherly and friendly countries due to its pioneering policy and its distinguished role towards developing cooperation.

It had a distinguished role in strengthening the work of the Gulf Cooperation Council, as well as supporting international peace and security efforts. Kuwait also committed to principles of the regional cooperation and international legitimacy through the United Nations and its affiliated organizations, the League of Arab States, the Organization of the Islamic Conference and the Organization of Non-Aligned Countries.

On the humanitarian level, Kuwait has been keen, since its independence, to provide humanitarian assistance and remove injustice from those in need, the humanitarian action has become a feature of its foreign policy that granted His Highness the Amir the title 'Leader of Humanitarian Action' by the UN in September 2014.

Manifestations of the national holiday's celebrations, it went through many stages throughout history, but all have embodied memories and beautiful days started since the 1960s until the present day. Back in the 1970s and 1980s, the celebrations used to be held along the Arabian Gulf Street with the participation of various state and private institutions, schools, sport teams, and governorates. In 1985, the Flag Square was set up on the occasion of the 25th years of independence, located near the seashore with an area of 100,000 square meters, and a 36-meter-high flagpole.

Currently, Kuwait celebrates its national day under the wise leadership of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah. Kuwait is working to develop a plan to build vital projects that would help make the country an international financial and commercial center.

These projects include Sabah Al-Ahmad Sea City, both Abdullah Al-Salem and Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Cultural Centers, Kuwait Motor City, Jahra Medical City, and the new passenger Terminal 4 at Kuwait International Airport, in addition to Jaber Al-Ahmed Hospital and Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Causeway, and others. - KUNA