'Kuwait closely following issue of Kuwaiti killed in Turkey'

Deputy Foreign Minister Khaled Al-Jarallah

KUWAIT: Deputy Foreign Minister of Kuwait Khaled Al-Jarallah said yesterday that Kuwait hopes the three forthcoming summits due in the Saudi capital of Riyadh next week would help in the fight against terrorism. Jarallah made the statement to the press on the sidelines of the opening session of a symposium organized at the Saud Al-Nasser Al-Sabah Diplomatic Institute under the theme 'evolution of women rights in the State of Kuwait.'

The first summit will be held between Saudi King Salman and the visiting US President Donald Trump. A second one will follow for Trump and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states, coinciding with the bi-annual consultative meeting of the bloc's leaders.  A third one will bring together Trump and the heads of state and leaders from Arab and Islamic states of the Islamic Alliance to combat terrorism. Jarallah said that the US President's visit to the Kingdom is 'historic,' adding that the US-GCC summit reflects the interaction of the bloc's member states with allies to face the 'abnormal conditions in the region.'

Referring to the GCC leaders' consultative meeting, the senior diplomat said that it "manifests vitality of the member states," pointing to "developments that prompt coordination and consultation." A major topic on the agenda will be the deteriorating security conditions in the region, especially the tragic ones in Yemen, Syria and Iraq.

On the recent visit by the Egyptian President Abdulfattah Al-Sisi to Kuwait, Jarallah said it was a chance for consultation and coordination. He said that bilateral relations are historical and deep-rooted, noting that Egypt is the cornerstone of the Arab World.

Yemeni talks

Meanwhile, Jarallah said that Kuwait is ready to host the Yemeni parties if there is a "final formula to end the ongoing crisis there." He added that Kuwait is committed to remedying the situation in Yemen.  Kuwait previously hosted peace consultations among the Yemeni parties for three months, he said.

On the secession council political leaders in South Yemen launched, Jarallah said it is a negative development on the "Yemeni path," that was rejected by the GCC. It is not viable, he stressed. Jarallah referred to The GCC ties with the Sudan as "advanced" saying that the bloc welcomes Khartoum's openness to the world. He pointed to positive developments on Sudan's relations with the world, especially the US.

The senior diplomat spoke of the forthcoming visit by the US President Trump to Saudi Arabia, saying it constitutes a message on the depth of the strategic political, economic, and security ties between the US and the GCC. Meanwhile, Jarallah hoped that GCC-Iran strategic dialogue would advance.  He said that dialogue is the channel to remove the "congestion" in the relations between the GCC and Iran. Basic requirements of this dialogue are refraining from interfering in the internal affairs of other countries, respect of sovereignty and good neighborliness.

Kuwaiti citizens

Separately, Jarallah said that Kuwait is eagerly and closely following up developments of the issue of a Kuwaiti citizen killed in Istanbul weeks ago, adding that they are coordinating with the Turkish authorities on the issue.

He noted that His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah manifested concern over the issue when he received Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan here last week. He also expressed hope that the Turkish authorities would identify the full circumstances of the crime and find the perpetrators.

On Kuwaiti Mohammad Al-Baghli who went missing in Romania, Jarallah said that search is still on, lauding cooperation on the side of the Romanian authorities. Contacts with the Romania will continue until a result is reached.

Stable environment

During the opening session of the symposium, Jarallah proclaimed that comprehensive development is not likely to be achieved without providing a stable environment for women in all fields, particularly human, social and economic security, as strategic partners in building the society.

Most countries have witnessed a shift regarding women's rights on the social, economic and political scenes, Jarallah said. The senior diplomat stressed Kuwait's commitment to the 'Beijing Declaration' and keenness on implementing its goals for empowering women, and eradicating discrimination and violence against them.

Kuwait has been eager that women should be always present in fields of administrative and investment development and education, as well as the political, judicial and voluntary work, besides their contributions to culture, and arts, he said. Jarallah emphasized Kuwait's commitment to gender equality, saying that women's empowerment "springs from the spirit of the Kuwaiti Constitution" with several provisions securing their rights. Kuwaiti women have proved themselves and have been playing a leading role in decision-making, occupying key posts in the government, parliament, the diplomatic corps, the judiciary and the police.

Kuwaiti Women's Day

Setting May 16 as the "Kuwaiti Women's Day" was prompted by a strong belief on the side of the State of Kuwait in the prime importance of their role in the society, as well as keenness on investing their capabilities in the current march of renaissance, the Deputy Foreign Minister said.

The Kuwaiti woman has had a basic, effective and honorable role through the decades, Assistant Foreign Minister for Americas Ambassador Reem Al-Khaled told the event.  Since the Foreign Ministry was established in 1962, neither the diplomatic nor the consular corps has differentiated between men and women, Khaled stressed.  She also highlighted His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah's support to women's rights and equality with men at work.

Khaled said that the First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al- Sabah appointed the first women in a leading post at the ministry in 2015, an Assistant Foreign Minister. - KUNA