ice hockey THE FIRST ENGLISH LANGUAGE DAILY IN FREE KUWAIT markets Page 14 Established in 1977 / www.arabtimesonline.com Page 10 THURSDAY, JANUARY 7, 2021 / JUMADA AL AWWAL 23, 1442 AH emergency number 112 NO. 17581 16 PAGES 150 FILS Broad praise for rekindled Gulf unity Kuwaiti role hailed Other Voices WASHINGTON, Jan 6, Japan (KUNA): US Secretary of The Japanese government on Wednes- State Mike Pompeo said day praised mediation efforts by Kuwait Long-awaited parliamentary intervention ... and the US for the successful reconcilia- Tuesday that the US thanks tion among the Gulf Cooperation Council Kuwait “for its mediation ef- (GCC) states. “We welcome these positive develop- By Ali Ahmed Al-Baghli forts and support in resolv- ments and highly appreciate the media- Former Minister of Oil ing the Gulf dispute”. tion efforts by those countries including “We are encouraged by the break- Kuwait and the US for the settlement of BADER Al-Humaidi – a new through made with the Al-Ula Dec- the issue,” Foreign Ministry Press Sec- parliamentarian – calmed the laration at the GCC summit, which retary Tomoyuki Yoshida said in a state- conscience of many of the Ku- marks a positive step toward restor- ment. waitis who were murmuring ing Gulf and Arab unity,” Pompeo “The unity among the Gulf countries about a certain issue that they said in a statement. is important to ensure peace and stability were either afraid or shy to in- in the Middle East. The Japanese govern- He added “we welcome the pledge ment of Japan hopes that the agreement dulge in out of respect for the today to restore cooperation in military, head of one of the most top will lead to further improvement of the economic, health, counter-corruption, relations among the countries concerned sovereign bodies, the Amiri and cultural initiatives”. as well as to easing tensions and stabiliza- Diwan. “We hope the Gulf countries will con- tion in the region,” said Yoshida. People indulged in talking tinue to reconcile their differences,” he The spokesman also affirmed that among themselves about the noted. “Restoring full diplomatic rela- Japan will continue working to realize mindblowing cost of the pro- tions is imperative for all parties in the peace and stability in the Middle East in jects executed by the offi cials region to unite against common threats”. cooperation with the countries related. of the Amiri Diwan, and their “We are stronger when we stand to- The German Government on Wednes- failure to gether,” he stressed. day praised mediation efforts by the State comply Qatar’s Foreign Minister Mohammad of Kuwait and the United States of Amer- Abdulrahman Al-Thani on Tuesday ap- ica that led to positive outcome at end of with the preciated Kuwait’s big efforts to iron out applicable the latest GCC summit. the rift and re-unify the Gulf States. The German Foreign Ministry said in a laws and Tweeting on his official account, the procedures statement that results of yesterday’s sum- minister hoped that Al-Ula agreement mit came due to the relentless mediation in this re- signed earlier in the day in Saudi Arabia efforts, exerted by the State of Kuwait gard. would help achieve further progress and and the US. It is prosperity for the Gulf countries. Germany and the European Union true that He stressed Qatar’s opening of a new have always supported a solution to this these pro- page in the Gulf ties. crisis, the statement said, applauding in He emphasized that his country is also Al-Baghli jects were particular the agreement on reopening amazing looking forward to bolster joint Arab and borders between Qatar and Saudi Arabia. and restored some joy on the Gulf action to achieve common interests, Reopening these borders will positive- overcome challenges and retain the re- ly impact on GCC countries’ solidarity, face of the country; for instance gion’s stability and security. projects like the Shaheed Park, it affirmed. Jaber Al-Ahmad Cultural Cent- NATO The Italian embassy in Kuwait ap- plauded on Wednesday adoption of er, Abdullah Al-Salem Center, NATO has praised Kuwait’s efforts to Jahra Hospital, and others. “Al-Ula communique” that capped yes- maintain peace and security in the region terday’s 41st GCC summit, held in the Those who are known to com- following the successful outcome of the northwestern Saudi city of Al-Ula. plain had put half the blame on six-member Gulf Cooperation Council Italy warmly welcomes the outcome of those who were entrusted by (GCC) summit held in the Saudi city of the Gulf Cooperation Council Summit on the law to establish and rebuild Al-Ula January 5, with the adoption of the “Al- those centers, namely the Minis- “We welcome Kuwait’s continued ef- Ula communique”, which marks the start try of Public Works, the Kuwait forts towards regional security, includ- of the normalization of relations within Municipality, and the Ministry ing within the Gulf Cooperation Council the Council, an embassy statement said. of Information. Their ministers framework,” a NATO official told the The Italian mission also welcomed the Kuwait news agency (KUNA) today. looked dumbfoundedly at these Amiri Diwan photo announcement of reopening Saudi air- “NATO engages in regular consulta- space with Qatar. mega projects, which were built Sheikh Dr Ahmad Nasser Al-Mohammad being presented with the Order by HH the Amir as HH the PM tions with all its’ Gulf partners, at all in the best way and image, and looks on. The settlement of the internal dispute levels, both in the region and at NATO in the Gulf Cooperation Council is a fun- stood powerlessly, which is Headquarters in Brussels,” said the offi- justifi able by the fear of their damental premise for increased stability cial speaking on condition of anonymity. and security in the region, it noted. chairs. Amir lauds Minister’s sacrifice “We have a solid record of mutually Those responsible for this in beneficial long term-relations and cooper- Mediation the Amiri Diwan and those who ation with the Gulf countries of Bahrain, “We express our appreciation for Ku- carried out these projects with- Kuwait, Qatar and the United Arab Emir- wait’s uninterrupted mediation efforts, out any legal basis and supervi- ates in the framework of our Istanbul Co- the impetus provided by the United States ‘Order of Kuwait’ to FM operation Initiative,” the official added. sion were hiding behind a legal and the constructive commitment of the UN Secretary-General Antonio text that did not apply at all to KUWAIT CITY, Jan 6, (KUNA): parties to resolve the dispute, an objective what they did and continue to Guterres lauded the role played by the that Italy has always supported with con- His Highness the Amir Sheikh State of Kuwait in mending the Gulf rift, do. Moody’s negative on GCC outlook Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al- viction,” it concluded. They were hiding behind the and also commended the final statement, Tunisia on Wednesday lauded the ef- Sabah presented at Bayan Palace which came out of the GCC summit held head of the state, the Amir, the Wednesday Foreign Minister forts that had been exterted by the State DUBAI, Jan 6: The negative in Al-Ula. of Kuwait for mending fences among the builder of its renascence, ac- 2021 outlook for sovereign Sheikh Dr Ahmad Nasser Al- Farhan Haq, Deputy Spokesperson for cording to article No. 54 of the Government ‘absentee’ Mohammad Al-Sabah with Or- GCC countries. creditworthiness in the Gulf the Secretary-General, said in a state- The foreign ministry said in a state- constitution to which everyone Cooperation Council (GCC) der of Kuwait of the First Class. ment Tuesday “The Secretary-General MP in scuttled session The honoring, at an Amiri re- ment that the Tunisian leadership had in this land resort. reflects the coronavirus-related expressed his gratitude to those from the followed up with interest on the GCC The article mentions explic- fall in oil revenue which is driv- ception, came in recognition of region and beyond, including the late By Saeed Mahmoud Saleh Sheikh Dr Ahmad’s services to summit, held in Al-Ula, Saudi Arabia, itly and without multiple inter- ing this year’s deterioration in Amir of Kuwait and late Sultan of Oman, praising its outcome namely the decisions pretations that, “The Amir is the fiscal strength, while constrain- Arab Times Staff and Agencies Kuwait and his efforts in bolster- who worked tirelessly towards resolving ing relations with brethren in the aimed at bolstering the inter-GCC ranks. Head of the State. His entity is ing government spending and the Gulf rift. It also acclaimed Kuwait’e efforts for slowing the economic recovery, KUWAIT CITY, Jan 6, (KUNA): Na- Gulf and Arab regions. “The Secretary-General welcomes the safeguarded and inviolable”. Present at the meeting were restoring the brotherly ties hoping the Also, article No. 55 stipulates Moody’s Investors Service said tional Assembly Speaker Marzouq Al-Ula declaration on ‘solidarity and sta- summit resolutions would ultimately con- in a report today. Al-Ghanim said Wednesday’s session His Highness the Prime Minister bility’ announced at the Summit of the that, “The Amir shall exercise Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad tribute to bolstering inter-Arab solidarity. Moody’s expects that it will would not be held because the govern- Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) in the Russia welcomed Wednesday the out- his powers through his Minis- ment was not attending. Al-Sabah and head of the Amiri ters”. take 2-3 years for real GDP in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia today. come of the Gulf Cooperation Council GCC sovereigns to return to “The government has officially noti- Diwan Sheikh Mubarak Faisal “The declaration recognizes the im- Violators of the state’s laws Saud Al-Sabah.