Concluding Remarks on the visit of H.H. Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah Prime Minister of Kuwait to Pakistan

(2013-11-11)

His Highness Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, Prime Minister of the State of Kuwait is visiting Pakistan at the invitation of Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif. The official talks between the two leaders have concluded this afternoon.

Pakistan attaches great importance to the visit of His Highness and considers it as a historic event as it is the first Head of Government level visit from Kuwait in decades. The last VVIP visit took place in 2006 when the Amir of Kuwait had visited Pakistan. The visit of the Prime Minister of Kuwait also enjoys a special significance, since it is the first Head of Government visit from a GCC country to Pakistan, after the democratically elected government of Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif took office in May 2013. The visit is also coinciding with the 50th Anniversary of establishment of Diplomatic relations between Pakistan and Kuwait.

Pakistan feels a profound sense of affinity with Kuwait and its fraternal people, which is rooted in our common faith, heritage and values. Building on the existing bonds friendship and confidence in Pakistan’s economic future, the two Prime Ministers focused on further cooperation in investment, trade, easing of visa restrictions on Pakistan nationals, export of skilled and semi-skilled manpower from Pakistan. The two sides also agreed to waiver visa requirement on Diplomatic and Official passports; cooperation in investments and cooperation in the field of manpower.

Today, the two Prime Ministers expressed their satisfaction at the existing cordial and fraternal bilateral relations and reiterated their desire to further expand and strengthen the existing cordial relations in all spheres for the mutual benefit of the two countries.

Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif briefed his Kuwaiti counterpart about his government’s plans to enhance growth, create jobs and reduce poverty to create a brighter future for the people of Pakistan. He encouraged the Kuwaiti businessmen to benefit from the conducive trade environment in Pakistan. It was highlighted that there is great potential for increased cooperation in a broad spectrum of areas, including trade, investment, energy and agriculture fields.

The two Prime Ministers expressed their desire to further expand the bilateral relations and to take them to new heights for the mutual benefit of the two countries.

Kuwait’s positive contribution to support Pakistan’s endeavour for economic development was appreciated. The two Prime Ministers expressed their desire to further intensify economic interaction in the years ahead. Kuwait is desirous of investing in Pakistan in energy sector which will supplement the Government’s efforts to meet the energy shortage in the country.

The presence of nearly 120,000 (one hundred and twenty thousand) Pakistani nationals in Kuwait is a proof of our close and fraternal relations. They serve as bridge between our fraternal countries. The two leaders agreed to facilitate visas for Pakistanis with view to enhance people to people contact.

The two leaders had similarity of views on regional and international matters of mutual interest. In the face of many challenges that confront the region, it is a matter of great satisfaction that Pakistan and Kuwait stand together and share their views on peace and progress of the region. The strong cooperative ties between the two brotherly countries are mutually beneficial and serve the interest of prosperity in the region.

The two Prime Ministers expressed confidence that the fraternal bonds between Pakistan and Kuwait would continue to grow and gain strength from strength. It would indeed remain their joint effort to carry forward these bonds of friendship and trust to the future generations.

Islamabad
November 11, 2013

310/2013