KUWAIT: Kuwait expressed appreciation and gratitude for tireless efforts exerted by UN, Sudan, Germany, and the EU with Sudan Friends’ Group during the past months which transformed the first phase of Sudan’s transition into a reality. It also asserts the status of Sudan, regionally and internationally, Foreign Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Dr Ahmad Nasser Al-Mohammad Al-Sabah made the remarks when he headed the Kuwaiti delegation, on behalf of His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Sabah, into Sudan Partners virtual Conference held Thursday.

Sheikh Dr Ahmad added Kuwait and Sudan have enjoyed a strong and distinguished relationship and managed to overcome several obstacles and challenges throughout the years. The minister noted that Kuwait Fund has been operational in Sudan since 1962 and after 58 years with more than 30 projects worth more than $1 billion, “we renew the Kuwaiti Fund’s readiness to discuss more development projects.”

The progress made by the transitional government in the peace talks and subsequent discussions with partners in various fields, show a promising future for the Republic of Sudan and its people, Sheikh Dr Ahmad said. The foreign minister participated in the conference, held by a joint invitation by Germany, the Commission of the European Union (EU), and the United Nations (UN). The aim of this conference was to launch a political and financial partnership to support the transitional process in Sudan, and support the transitional government’s agenda and programs for achieving economic stability through economic reforms and rehabilitation of infrastructure, and reconstruction programs, to ultimately enabling Sudan overcome challenges it is going through.

Palestinians’ rights

In other news, Sheikh Dr Ahmad Al-Sabah on Friday received a call from Jordan’s Foreign Minister Ayman Al-Safadi. During the call, the two sides discussed the Israeli decision to annex Palestinian lands, and the flagrant violation of international legitimacy resolutions and the disruption of the peace process represented by that decision. Sheikh Dr Ahmad affirmed the Kuwaiti supportive position of the Palestinian people and their legitimate rights in accordance with the resolutions of international legitimacy and the Arab peace initiative and its complete rejection of the Israeli decision.

In the meantime, Sheikh Dr Ahmad Al-Sabah conducted on Friday a telephone call with his Iraqi counterpart Dr Fuad Hussein, during which he clarified that Kuwait has been following up with deep alarm on latest developments in Iraq, affirming its full siding with Iraq with respect of any measure it may opt to take for safeguarding its security and stability. The Iraqi foreign minister expressed meanwhile appreciation for the gesture that depicted the deep-rooted brotherly relations between the two countries and their keenness on bolstering them in all domains.

Separately, Sheikh Dr Ahmad Al-Sabah received on Thursday the outgoing ambassadors of the UAE and Serbia, Saqer Al-Raisi and Vladimir Kohut respectively. In separate meetings, Sheikh Dr Ahmad lauded the two envoys’ efforts in bolstering bilateral relations. Several officials from the Foreign Ministry attended the meeting. — KUNA