His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah meets with heads of Arab news agencies participating in the conference of the Federation of Arab News Agencies (FANA). — KUNA photos His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah meets with heads of Arab news agencies participating in the conference of the Federation of Arab News Agencies (FANA). — KUNA photos

KUWAIT: The sliding oil prices might affect donors' generosity at next February's donors' meeting in London in support of Syrian refugees, His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah said yesterday.

His statements came on the sideline of a meeting with chiefs of Arab delegations participating in the 43rd Conference of the General Assembly of the Federation of Arab News Agencies (FANA). He drove the point home regarding Kuwait's unflinching support to help the Syrian people in their hour of dire need, noting that Kuwait has given ample aid in the guise of homes, schools, hospitals, foodstuffs, clothing, etc, to them and would continue to do so.

Declining revenues

About fears and misgivings regarding the effect of declining revenues from oil due to falling prices on the nation's development plan, His Highness the Prime Minister said "Kuwait had experienced declining oil prices before and was able to goad expenditure so as not to affect the extent and quality of government services to the public."

The development plan, he assured, was steaming along on course, notwithstanding current economic conditions, stressing the role the private sector has been assuming in pushing along the nation's economic prosperity.

Terrorism threat

On the topic of terrorism, His Highness the Prime Minister said "Kuwait and other countries have warned against this growing menace which is not rooted in a single religion or creed or geographical location," adding that "no state by itself can face terrorism which spans continents without the help of the international community to eradicate it." He emphasized the imperative that the "international community seek quick solutions to enduring problems such as the Palestinian crisis and those crises in Syria and Libya."

Credible news

During his meeting with FANA officials, His Highness Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak lavished praise on these agencies sacrosanct mission to inform the public with objective and credible news. He noted Kuwait's adherence to the principles of free speech, saying that he had asked of all ministers to have an official spokesperson for their ministries to become a liaison between the public and the media on one hand and these ministries on the other.

In his capacity as FANA President and Board Chairman and Director General of Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) Sheikh Mubarak Al-Duaij Al-Ibrahim Al-Sabah stressed in the meeting with His Highness the Prime Minister FANA's dedication to improve the language of communication with the public to reflect contemporary standards in the worldwide news business.

National unity

Earlier, the FANA delegation met His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah received at Bayan Palace. The meeting was attended by Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs and acting Minister of Information and Minister of State for Youth Affairs Sheikh Mohammad Al-Abdullah Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah.

During the meeting, His Highness the Crown Prince hailed the efforts of the FANA conference's organizers, calling for developing mass media in order to ensure national unity and deliver its great message based on credibility and scientific research.

He stressed the effective role of media in buttressing national unity, and economic and cultural development, hoping that the conference would come up with recommendations serving Arab interests in the face of surrounding risks.

Chief of His Highness the Crown Prince's Diwan Sheikh Mubarak Al-Faisal Al-Saud Al-Sabah and His Highness the Crown Prince's Diwan Protocol Chief Sheikh Mubarak Sabah Al-Salem Al-Humoud Al-Sabah were present in the meeting. - KUNA