| Date: 15/07/2012 Time: 10:20:00 PM |
Kuwaiti Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign
Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Sabah said his country was keen to assist
African nations, in appreciation of their role during tough times for Kuwait
and to improve Arab relations with Africa.
He made the comment at the residence of HH the Amir earlier on Sunday
evening, after attending meetings with several African leaders, during the
Kuwaiti delegation's visit as guest of honour and observer at the African
Union Assembly meeting in Addis Ababa.
"We would like to thank the African Union and the head of the current
session on their kind invitation, for HH the Amir to have attended the African
Union Assembly in its 19th session.
"There is no doubt that Kuwait will be hosting the Arab-African Summit and
ahead of this occasion HH the Amir was happy to attend today as an honorary
guest and deliver a speech to welcome African leaders to Kuwait in 2013."
"HH the Amir's speech focused on more than one issue, and its contents were
a clear message of gratitude and appreciation to the member nations of the
African Union for standing beside Kuwait during tough times," said Sheikh
Sabah Al-Khaled, also Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs.
He noted to the efforts of the state-founded Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic
Development, which operates in 48 countries in the African Union out of a
total 50, emphasising that this presence was solely aimed at improving the
infrastructure of these nations.
Roads, communications, education and health were other issues in Africa,
Kuwait is keen to support, he added.
In admiration of the beautiful architectural structure of the Africa Hall -
where the talks were hosted - "the Amir said Kuwait would be donating a
generous sum, aimed at providing the building with any additional requirements
needed."
"During the many meetings held earlier this morning and evening, the Kuwait
Fund has signed five agreements with several African nations, after necessary
revision, for the execution of a number of projects," he noted.
The separate meetings, with African leaders held on the sidelines of the
event, are aimed at enhancing Arab-African relations, he said, and Kuwait's
role in preparing for the upcoming gathering of these two regions. |