KUWAIT: Acting Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah (second from left) chairs the cabinet’s meeting yesterday. — KUNA KUWAIT: Acting Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah (second from left) chairs the cabinet’s meeting yesterday. — KUNA

KUWAIT: The Cabinet yesterday approved final accounts for the 2015-2016 fiscal year of government departments, addressed major external issues namely Turkey's events expressing satisfaction at the legitimacy success, expressed solidarity with France in aftermath of the "blatant and criminal" attack in Nice and affirmed stand alongside the international community against terrorism.

During its weekly session chaired by the Acting Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, the Cabinet reviewed recommendations by the economic affairs committee on bills for approval of the financial accounts for the fiscal year 2015-2016 for a number of authorities and sectors.

The ministers welcomed the relevant bills for the National Assembly, Kuwait Municipality, Kuwait University, the Public Authority for Civil Information (PACI), Kuwait Fire Service Directorate, the Public Investment Authority (PIA), the Public Authority for Applied Education and Training (PAAET), the Public Authority Agriculture Affairs and Fish Resources (PAAFR), the Public Authority for Assessment of Compensation for Damages Resulting from Iraqi Aggression, the Public Authority for Youth and Sports (PAYS), the Environment Public Authority (EPA), the Public Authority for Disabled Affairs (PADA), the General Authority to Take Care of Printing and Publication of Holy Quran, Kuwait Anti-Corruption Authority, the Public Authority for Manpower, the Public Authority for Food Affairs and Nutrition, the Investment Promotion Authority, the Authority for Projects Partnerships. The approved bills have been referred to His Highness the Amir, pending referral to the National Assembly.

Relief

Meanwhile, Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah, reading a statement after the session, said the ministers expressed relief and welcome regarding success of the legitimacy and democracy in Turkey, depicting will of the Turkish people-alluding to the recent botched bid to overthrow the government by military forces.

The Cabinet expressed sincere congratulations to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, praising the Turkish people for siding with the legitimacy an adhering to the democratic system. Moreover, it lauded the Turkish people positive role in restoring stability to the country, hoping it would witness further stability, progress and prosperity.

As to France, the Kuwait Cabinet expressed deep condolences to President Francoise Holland and the French people on demise of citizens as a result of the "flagrant criminal act" that has recently happened in Nice, affirming strong condemnation of "this terrorist and criminal act that contradicts all heavenly laws and humanitarian values." Furthermore, the Cabinet affirmed the State of Kuwait stand alongside the international community in combating various forms of terrorism.

Letters

The session got started with a briefing about a message His Highness the Amir had received from Kofi Annan, head of the Elders organization, requesting financial support to cope with El-Nino phenomenon, resulting for the climatic change. Annan had expressed hope that the State of Kuwait and other UN member states, during forthcoming meeting on climatic change, would work out a map to cope with the weather changes by 2020.

They were notified about a message His Highness the Prime Minister had received from Professor Klaus Schwab, Founder and Executive Chairman of the World Economic Forum, inviting His Highness to take part in the annual convention due in Davos, January 2017.

The ministers reviewed a report by the permanent committee for improving the business environment in Kuwait. Deputy Prime Minister, Finance, Acting Oil Minister and Acting Commerce and Industry Minister Anas Al-Saleh addressed the ministers about the committee accomplishments, namely cooperation between the public and private sectors to create an adequate business environment in the country, as well as in cooperation with the World Bank.

Financial stability

On other issues, the ministers examined a report about the general financial stability for 2015, presented by the Central Bank of Kuwait, tackling hazards facing the banking sector and the banks' resistance to pressure, affirming that the sector maintained its strength.

The executives approved bills regarding aviation services with Mexico, Japan, standardization cooperation with Morocco, a cultural accord with the Kyrgyz Republic and amending the accord for the aviation services with Switzerland.

They also approved bills on joining the Cartagena protocol on Biosafety to the Convention on Biological Diversity and an accord with France in the relics' sector. Furthermore, the Cabinet congratulated Theresa May on assuming the UK premiership post. - KUNA