His Highness the Amir Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah

KUWAIT: His Highness the Amir Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah on Friday received a congratulatory message from UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres on signing the Al-Ula statement and the final communique of the 41st Summit of the Gulf Cooperation Council. The summit was hosted by Saudi Arabia’s Al-Ula City last Tuesday. In the letter, Guterres said that the achievement to which His Highness the Amir contributed boosts Kuwait’s key mediation role in the region. He recalled the great role and efforts made by the late Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah that aimed to achieve the Gulf reconciliation.

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres

The UN chief said that he looks forward to continuing the close partnership with Kuwait to enhance international peace and security, wishing His Highness the Amir everlasting well-being. In reply, His Highness the Amir sent a letter to Guterres, thanking him for his good sentiments. His Highness the Amir voiced his great delight at making this historic accomplishment that will bolster the joint Arab-Gulf cooperation in order to meet the desired aspirations and hopes, and boost stability and security in the region. His Highness the Amir affirmed Kuwait’s firm stance to back the UN and its activities, wishing Guterres success in achieving the UN’s goals to maintain international security and peace, and everlasting good health.

Mediation efforts

Meanwhile, Bahrain’s Foreign Minister Abdulatif Al-Zayani praised His Highness the Amir’s mediation efforts, and coordination amongst Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, the UAE and Egypt to solve the Gulf crisis. This came during a meeting Zayani held with editors-in-chief of local newspapers on the outcomes of the summit, Bahrain News Agency (BNA) reported. The minister highlighted efforts made by Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa to unify the Gulf ranks and his keenness on working with the GCC leaders to open new chapter in Gulf relations and enhance pan-Gulf dialogue to meet peoples’ aspirations and promote security, stability and prosperity of the GCC states and the whole region. Zayani said these sincere efforts made by the GCC states and Egypt is a key step for dialogue to unite against any foreign interferences or threats from entities seeking to undermine security and stability of the GCC states. He expressed his optimism about the next period of the GCC path. He reiterated Bahrain’s commitment to agreements that aims to bolster the joint Arab-Gulf action.

Borders’ reopening

In the meantime, Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council Dr Nayef Al-Hajraf welcomed Friday’s reopening of airspace and all sea and land borders between the United Arab Emirates and Qatar. This step, which materializes the recently held summit’s outcomes, reflects GCC states’ eagerness and sincere efforts to strengthen the GCC bonds and maintain its gains, Hajraf said in a press statement. He congratulated GCC leaders and people on the start of a new era of joint-GCC action. Hajraf said that GCC people are upbeat about this move and are looking forward towards a strong, tightly-connected GCC to steer their countries towards more development, progress, security and stability. Earlier, the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation announced reopening all land, sea and air ports for inbound and outbound movement with Qatar. — KUNA