Established 1961 3 Local Wednesday, February 24, 2021 Amir meets top Chinese official, receives message from President Xi Amir, Crown Prince receive Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammad

Japan’s envoy marks Emperor’s birthday KUWAIT: Japan’s Ambassador to Kuwait Masato Takaoka released the KUWAIT: His Highness the Amir Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah meets following statement on the occasion of Director of the Chinese Central Foreign Affairs Commission Office Yang Jiechi. — Amiri His Highness the Amir Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah meets His Highness the birthday of Japan’s Emperor Diwan and KUNA photos Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammad Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah. Naruhito: “As Japan celebrates this week His KUWAIT: His Highness the Amir Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al- Majesty the Emperor’s birthday on the Jaber Al-Sabah received at Bayan Palace yesterday His 23rd of February, I wish to convey my Highness Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammad Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah. warmest greetings to the leadership and His Highness the Amir also received, in the presence of Foreign people of the State of Kuwait. I am Minister Dr Sheikh Ahmad Nasser Al-Mohammad Al-Sabah, always thankful that Japan and Kuwait Director of the Chinese Central Foreign Affairs Commission enjoy great partnership. There are gen- Office Yang Jiechi. The official delivered to His Highness the uine warm feelings between us which Amir a verbal message from Chinese President Xi Jinping have been cultivated in our long history. focusing on historic bilateral relations and ways to enhance The year 2021 marks the sixtieth them on all possible levels. The message also touched on issues anniversary of the establishment of our of mutual interest as well as regional and international devel- diplomatic relations. opment. Officials from the Amiri Diwan and the office of His “Japan is one of the first countries Highness the Amir attended the meeting. In other news, His that recognized the independence of the Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber State of Kuwait. This week’s calendar is His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah meets His Highness Sheikh also marked by the 60th anniversary of Al-Sabah received His Highness Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammad Nasser Al-Mohammad Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah. Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah yesterday at Bayan Palace. — KUNA the Kuwait National Independence and the 30th Anniversary of Liberation. Japan and Kuwait have come a long way Chinese Communist party, was held at the together over those years, helping each Kuwait, China Foreign Ministry headquarters. The discus- other. Thirty years ago, at the time of sions dealt with means of cementing further tragedy in Kuwait, Japan provided an the close relations between the State of unprecedented level of support totaling discuss further Kuwait and China - established 50 years ago, 13 billion dollars for the operations of the along with cooperation at various levels as multinational coalition forces and for cementing ties well as the distinguished partnership between contributing to the regional stability. We the two friendly countries in diverse vital and also sent Japanese minesweepers to KUWAIT: Foreign Minister Sheikh Dr key arenas, in addition to regional and inter- Kuwait to remove dangerous mines Ahmad Nasser Al-Mohammad Al-Sabah met national topics. Sheikh Hamad Nasser lauded floating in the water to ensure the safe yesterday with a senior Chinese official dis- the close bilateral relations while his Chinese navigation of vitally important sea lanes. cussing the solid bilateral relations and the guest affirmed Beijing’s keenness on strength- “On the other hand, 10 years ago, distinctive partnership bonding the two ening the partnership in the economic, invest- when Japan was devastated with the friendly countries. The meeting between ment and commercial sectors. Moreover, major earthquakes and tsunami, Kuwait His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sheikh Dr Ahmad Nasser and Yang Jiechi, Jiechi praised Kuwait’s balanced foreign poli- came to offer enormous support. We will King Felipe VI of Spain Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah Director of the Chinese Central Foreign cy and its efforts for maintaining regional not forget the Kuwaiti generosity and Affairs Commission Office and member of the peace and security. Several ranking ministry kindness. People in Fukushima, for politburo of the central committee of the officials attended the meeting. — KUNA example, are eager to host the Kuwaiti Spain King congratulates Olympic team this summer. Japan and Kuwait are friends in need and friends indeed. Currently we are faced with the Amir on national days national and global coronavirus crisis, but we will overcome together. The KUWAIT: King Felipe VI of Spain sent greetings to His Highness the Embassy of Japan in Kuwait is planning Amir Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah on the occasion of to organize a number of events this year, Kuwait’s national days. “On the occasion of celebrating the National initially on-line, to commemorate the Day of Kuwait, I would like to express to your highness, as well as on important milestone of the relations behalf of the government and people of the Kingdom of Spain best between our two countries. I invite all congratulations,” King Felipe VI wrote in a telegram the Embassy of Kuwaiti friends to participate in our Spain forwarded to Kuwait’s foreign ministry to deliver to His Highness KUWAIT: Foreign Minister Sheikh Dr Ahmad Nasser Al-Mohammad Al-Sabah and Director of the activities. I hope we will soon be cele- the Amir. “I would also like to express our wishes of good health to Chinese Central Foreign Affairs Commission Office Yang Jiechi chair their respective countries’ brating our friendship face-to-face.” your highness, and peace and prosperity to your friendly people.” delegations during the meeting. — KUNA

News in brief

Amir congratulates Japanese Emperor

KUWAIT: His Highness the Amir Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah sent a cable yes- terday to the Emperor Naruhito of Japan, con- gratulating him on his birthday. His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah sent similar cables. —KUNA

FM receives call

KUWAIT: Foreign Minister Sheikh Dr Ahmad Nasser Al-Mohammad Al-Sabah yesterday received a phone call from his Swedish counter- part Ann Linde, discussing means of fostering the close bilateral relations further, regional and international affairs. The two sides affirmed determination to pursue bilateral efforts toward the Yemeni cause, namely coordination for hold- ing the donors conference for Yemen, due on March 1. Moreover, they affirmed necessity of pursuing the coordination for finding a peaceful solution to the crisis in Yemen. Sheikh Dr Ahmad renewed the condemnation of the recurring attacks, carried out by the Houthi militias, against Saudi Arabia. — KUNA

Kuwait decries attack

ROME: The State of Kuwait has denounced the attack on a convoy of the United Nations World Food Programme in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where the Italian ambassador was killed. This criminal operation affirms pending need for doubling international efforts to nip violence and terrorism in the bud, said the Foreign Ministry in a statement on Tuesday, a day after Italy declared that its envoy was killed along with another person in the armed assault on the con- voy in the east of the African country. Moreover, the Kuwaiti Foreign Ministry has emphasized Kuwait’s principled and unwavering stance that renounces all forms of these two phenomena. It extended condolence and sincere solace to the government and people of the friendly Republic of Italy and families of the victims. — KUNA