Minister Carmelo Abela pays official visit to Kuwait for political and trade promotion talks: Memorandum of understanding on higher education and scientific research signed
Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Promotion Carmelo Abela made his first official visit to Kuwait on the 3rd and 4th October 2018, during which he held talks with the highest political and trade authorities.
The Minister was accompanied by Malta’s Ambassador to Kuwait, Patrick Cole, and by an institutional delegation comprising Alfred J. Vella, Rector, and Stefania Agius Fabri, Director - International Office, of the University of Malta (UoM); Anton Buttigieg, CEO at Trade Malta; and Jurgen Zammit, Head - External Relations at Malta Enterprise. The visit coincided with the 46th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations on 3rd October 1972.
In all political meetings, reference was made to the excellent relations between the two states, with the Kuwaiti hosts recalling in particular the support expressed by Malta during the invasion of Kuwait in 1990 and the stance taken by the then President of the UN General Assembly, Guido de Marco.
Minister Abela was received by Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, Amir of the State of Kuwait, with whom he discussed the current situation in the Gulf Region and in the Mediterranean basin, as well as issues of bilateral interest. Minister Abela reiterated the Maltese government’s commitment to further enhance the political and economic contacts between the two countries.
Another meeting was held with Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, focusing on bilateral relations, European Union-Kuwait relations, as well as regional and international issues. Both Ministers noted that Kuwait and Malta enjoy a sound legal framework of bilateral cooperation through the numerous existing bilateral agreements and expressed their will to continue expanding such cooperation. The Ministers also signed a Memorandum of Understanding in the Field of Higher Education and Scientific Research. “Malta welcomes the signing of this Agreement and augurs that it will pave the way to the consolidation of further cooperation in this area,” said Minister Abela. He expressed his satisfaction at the numerous Kuwait students that have attended the University of Malta over the past years. The presence of the UoM Rector in the delegation was a clear commitment to see this number increase and to diversify the areas of studies being pursued, such as engineering, he added. The Kuwaiti Foreign Affairs Minister voiced his appreciation for the opportunities being provided to Kuwaiti students, hailing Malta as an ideal location for Kuwaitis to pursue their studies.
Kuwaitis are currently the third largest international group of students at the UoM. A total of 82 Kuwaiti scholarship students graduated over the past eight years, with the majority successfully completing their studies and training in Medicine and dentistry, and a few students pursuing commerce, communications, health sciences, architecture, and International Relations. While in Kuwait, Minister Abela also had the opportunity to meet with a group of Kuwaiti UoM alumni and exchange views with them on their study experience in Malta.
Another meeting was held with Marzooq Ali Al-Ghanim, Speaker of the National Assembly. Both sides expressed hope that there would be an increase in the exchange of high-level visits, including at the parliamentary level following the establishment of a Kuwait-Malta Parliamentary Friendship Group.
Minister Abela also met with Khalid Naser Al-Rodan, Minister of Commerce and Industry, as well as with Sheikh Meshaal Jaber Al Ahmad Al Sabah, Director General of the Kuwait Direct Investment Promotion Authority. During these meetings, both sides agreed on the need to further enhance the existing trade and commercial exchanges. They also agreed on the multitude of opportunities for cooperation between the respective Chambers of Commerce, Trade Malta, and Malta Enterprise, and that it is important to work in tandem in a tangible manner.
With Sheikh Nasser Mohammed Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, former Prime Minister of Kuwait, Minister Abela discussed the unfolding developments in the Mediterranean, namely in relation to migration as well as the Middle East and North Africa region.
Meanwhile, en route to Kuwait, Minister Abela accompanied President of Malta Marie Louise Coleiro-Preca on a visit to Dubai, during which they visited the Maltese stand at the Cityscape Exhibition, a leading international showcase of real estate investment opportunities in emerging markets from all around the world. The delegation also attended an event marking the 54th anniversary of Malta’s Independence, where they had the opportunity to meet with members of the Maltese community as well as local dignitaries and business leaders.
