DIPLOMACY: Cyprus cements bilateral and business ties with Kuwait

Cyprus FM Nikos Christodoulides has signed bilateral agreements in Kuwait, during an official visit to promote business and closer regional cooperation.

During his contacts the Minister also discussed ways of further enhancement of the bilateral relations. 

Christodoulides met Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, they signed an agreement on air travel services as well as an MOU for the reception of Kuwaiti citizens in case of evacuation operations from crisis areas and their assistance to countries of destination via Cyprus. 

The Ministers also agreed to commence consultations with the aim to conclude bilateral agreements in the fields of Search and Rescue, recognition of higher education diplomas, maritime affairs and cultural cooperation. 

To this end, the press release reads, the Assistant Foreign Minister for European Affairs is expected to visit Cyprus soon to conduct political consultations. 

Christodoulides and the Deputy Premier also exchanged views on the developments in the Middle East, regional cooperation prospects, EU-Kuwait relations as well as the Cyprus issue, given that Kuwait participates in the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and is non-permanent Member of the UN Security Council until the end of 2019. 

He was received by the Emir of the State of Kuwait, Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah with whom he discussed regional developments. The Minister also extended an invitation by President Nicos Anastasiades for the Emir to pay Cyprus a visit. 

The Cypriot Minister also addressed a Business Forum organised by the Commerce Chambers of the two countries in cooperation with the Cyprus Ministry of Commerce and Industry and the Cyprus-Kuwait Business Association.

There also trade delegation contacts with people involved in the business sector to promote trade cooperation and investments in Cyprus.

The delegation included Michalis Michail, Chairman of the Cyprus Investment Promotion Agency and Christodoulos Agastiniotis, President of the Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry.