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KUWAIT: Assistant Foreign Minister for European Affairs Walid Al-Khebeizi said Tuesday the friendly relations with the Vatican City State stemmed from belief in shared values, tolerance and open up to religious faith. “The State of Kuwait was the first Gulf country to establish diplomatic relations with the Vatican in 1969 and since then the bilateral relations have kept growing,” he told reporters after attending an annual function at the Vatican Embassy.

Ambassador Al-Khebeizi recalled the supportive stance of late Pope John Paul II during the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait in 1990. The large number of Christians living in Kuwait is indicative of the atmospheres of freedom of belief, tolerance and coexistence as well as respect for human dignity by all residents in the country, he added. — KUNA