KUWAIT: HH the Prime Minister Sheikh Dr Mohammad Sabah Al-Salem Al-Sabah on Sunday, addressing a fresh batch of diplomats, said: “Ahead of you are many missions to take on, then sail off to a brighter future for Kuwait.” Praising Almighty Allah for a leadership that believes in its sons and daughters’ potential, HH the Premier stressed that the 1962 constitution was the offspring of such a belief.

The ceremony at Saud Al-Nasser Al-Sabah Diplomatic Institute saw the graduation of the 8th and 9th batches, with Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdullah Al-Yahya, his deputy Sheikh Jarrah Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah and senior ministry officials attending. The government, noted HH Sheikh Dr Mohammad, is working on manifesting on the ground the vision of HH the Amir Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah of a “just, safe and sustainable” country, with HH the Amir as the “captain of the ship”. HH the Amir’s recent visits to GCC countries held historic, geographic and strategic inevitabilities, noted the prime minister, while highlighting the economic dossier among member states as well.

HH the Prime Minister also said Sunday efforts to improve citizens’ standards of living must be given precedence in the cooperation between the government and the new National Assembly. “The government planned for cooperation with the outgoing parliament on this matter, but unfortunately the parliament was dissolved for transgressing the sovereign status, which is known to everybody,” he said.

The government will pursue its efforts to improve the standards of living of citizens materially and morally by enhancing their confidence that the state is serious in addressing all forms of corruption and crimes, HH Sheikh Dr Mohammad pointed out. The government studied with the technical departments the plans for providing soft loans and improving the benefits of pensioners in collaboration with the Public Institution for Social Security, he revealed.

The consultations resulted in a positive attitude to the regulation of soft loans that will benefit pensioners and ensure the sustainability of sovereign funds, he said. “We arrived at a conclusion that a draft legislation on this issue will be tabled to the upcoming National Assembly soon after being elected in the coming weeks,” HH the Prime Minister added.

Yahya congratulated the newly appointed diplomats on joining the diplomatic corps. He witnessed the oath-taking of 19 diplomats who were promoted to the diplomatic and consular corps under Article 21/1962 after they completed the training and academic program at the diplomatic Institute. The minister expressed his trust in the new diplomats’ qualifications, hoping they would dedicate their careers to the benefit and representation of Kuwait and its people abroad.

He advised them to abide by the set rules and laws, national values and basic principles of Kuwait’s diplomacy, explaining that they might encounter potential challenges on their diplomatic journeys, especially during the current global and regional unrest. Yahya reiterated his good wishes and success to the new diplomats under the wise leadership of HH the Amir Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah.