Kuwait’s Interior Minister Sheikh Mohammad Al-Khaled Al-Sabah attends the opening ceremony of the new legislative year at the National Assembly in Kuwait City

KUWAIT: His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah yesterday reaffirmed that government would not tolerate any attempt aimed at undermining security of Kuwait and called for implementing a tight-belt policy to trim over-spending. "Our national unity is a shield against anyone attempting to undermine the security of this society, while the vigilance of security forces will deal with all possibilities in order to keep Kuwait and people safe," His Highness the Prime Minister said in a speech at the inauguration of the parliament's 4th term of the 14th legislative term.

He said the government, in its quest to fight and eliminate terrorism, started activating a number of "important laws," like the DNA, the installation of surveillance cameras and the collection of unlicensed weapons. These laws, he added, would strengthen security and stability of Kuwait. The Prime Minister noted His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah's calls to safeguarding security of Kuwait. He said the government would spare no effort to develop its security services and vigilance, as well as work on promoting national unity vis-a-vis security challenges facing the country.

He added that the government is determined to achieve development and prosperity despite numerous challenges, foremost low oil prices. "Cooperation between the government and National Assembly in line with the article 50 of the constitution has contributed to many achievements that benefited the country and citizens. The government realized the gravity of the low oil prices and the "negative impacts on our national economy as well as our ability to address financial burdens... .," PM said.

The Prime Minister said that maintaining social prosperity required doubling of efforts coupled with cutting of spending and proper investment of resources. He cited His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah's call to cut spending without affecting standard of living of citizens, in addition to diversifying income and minimizing dependence on oil. "The government would continue its tight-belt policy, protecting public fund and fighting corruption, citing efforts of the Public Anti-Corruption Authority (PACA)," he added, calling on all officials to submit their own financial statement to PACA, just like he did earlier.

On reforms, Prime Minister said the process of reform needed collaboration of all citizens with the objective of achieving development of Kuwait. "The government is targeting the development of human resources as the backbone of prosperity. Caring and empowering of youth is a major element in the development plan," he added and cited the launch of the national fund for small and medium-size enterprises.

His Highness Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak said the competitiveness of Kuwait has improved, and the country has made large strides in the fight against money laundering and terrorism financing, all in line with relevant UN resolutions. He said the Working Group on Tackling Financing of Terrorism's lifting of Kuwait name from its terrorism financing list was "a great civilized achievement." On the development projects, His Highness the Prime Minister said over 80 percent of ventures have been implemented in 2014-15.

The government has recently opened Al-Razi hospital with eight hospitals to be operated in the next five years, he said. New transportation and housing projects are also being implemented, he added, in addition to the development of the education system which was implemented in cooperation with the World Bank. His Highness the Prime Minister said "constructive" cooperation between the government and parliament contributed to approval of many projects like Al-Zour North power station, Al-Abdaliya solar station, sewage water treatment station and waste recycling.

Kuwait's foreign policy will remain committed to non-interference in other countries' affairs, solving conflicts peacefully with an emphasis GCC countries' security was integrated, His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh added. Kuwait is committed to good neighborliness, supporting freedom, justice, peace and human rights, His Highness the Prime Minister said in a speech at the inauguration of the 4th term of the 14th legislative term of the National Assembly.

He said Kuwait believed that security of the Gulf Cooperation Council countries was integrated, and the GCC member states shared responsibility of preserving security and stability in the region. His Highness the Prime Minister commended Saudi Arabia's positive role in supporting just causes and its attempt to maintain peace and stability in the area. Saudi Arabia is leading an Arab coalition that aimed at protecting legitimacy in Yemen in the wake of the coup d'etat carried out by the Houthis and former president Ali Abdullah Saleh's forces against President Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi. The objective of the coalition is to restore the legitimate leadership in Yemen and help the Yemeni people. - KUNA