KUWAIT: Kuwait’s request to exempt Kuwaiti citizens from having the Schengen visa was being considered by most European Union countries, a senior official said. Kuwaiti foreign minister’s assistant for European Affairs Ambassador Waleed Al- Khubaizi was speaking to reporters Sunday night ceremony held to celebrate the 50th anniversary of establishing bilateral relations between Kuwait and Belgium. He stressed that Kuwait’s bilateral relations with Belgium were ‘very strong’ and that Kuwait had many investments there.

He stressed the presence of exchanged visits of high-ranking officials from both countries such as a recent visit made by Parliament Speaker Marzouq Al-Ghanem, in addition to a visit that His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al- Sabah is scheduled to make by the beginning of next year. he hoped that the premier’s visit to Belgium would be effective in finalizing the Schengen visa exemption issue.

Amir’s visit

Responding to a question about His Highness the Amir’s visit to Moscow, Khubaizi stressed that it was intended to cement bilateral relations between both countries and revive previous agreements. He added that oil, gas, investments, culture and transport would be discussed during the visit. On his part, Belgium’s Ambassador to Kuwait Andy Detaille stressed that bilateral relations between both countries were deep-rooted in various disciplines and said that various cultural events would be held in Kuwait soon to introduce Belgium’s culture to Kuwaitis.

By Meshaal Al-Enezi