Kuwait “is an important strategic partner for the US in the Middle East and our relationship is growing”, said US Foreign Secretary Rex Tillerson while lauding the “flourishing and always strong US-Kuwaiti partnership”.

Recalling His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah’s meeting with US President Donald Trump in September, Mr. Tillerson re-emphasized that they had “an extraordinary, important and valuable meeting right here in Washington”. He also shed light on the “productive” strategic dialogue held between the US and Kuwait during the visit of His Highness the Amir that addressed defense, trade and a range of other issues.

Welcoming Kuwait’s recent commitments to several of President Trump’s regional priorities, the Foreign Secretary said, “Kuwait responded to Trump’s historic call for action during the Riyadh Summit to defeat the so-called Islamic-state (IS) and prevent terrorism and violent extremism.” He also praised the role Kuwait is playing to “diplomatically seek a resolution” for the ongoing crisis in the Gulf.

The Foreign Secretary was speaking at a gala dinner hosted by Kuwait’s Ambassador to the US Sheikh Salem Al-Sabah and his wife Sheikh Rima Al-Sabah at the country’s embassy in Washington, to honor the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). The dazzling event was attended by US President Donald Trump, First Lady Melania Trump, the UN Secretary-General António Guterres and high-ranking members of the US cabinet. The event witnessed the honoring of First Lady Melania Trump as the recipient of the Kuwait-America Foundation 2017 Humanitarian Award.

Continuing his address to the gathering, Mr. Tillerson also highlighted Kuwait’s generosity and humanitarian efforts, saying, “Kuwait has also generously provided important support to humanitarian initiatives in the wake of the IS related violence in Iraq and Syria.”

“Kuwait remains the UNHCR's largest donor from the Middle East and North Africa, and Kuwait has also contributed large amounts of money in bilateral assistance to Jordan, Lebanon, Egypt and Iraq to support their efforts, as those countries host refugees from Syria and other parts of the region,” he added. "The US is proud to have a partner so deeply committed to address and provide for displaced persons," he remarked.

In his speech at the event Sheikh Salem Al-Sabah referred to the deep commitment he shares with his wife Sheikha Rima for philanthropy, which is "who we are as Kuwaitis. It is woven into the fabric of the nation we represent”. He added "as has been the case for decades, Kuwait and the United States are working hard together, as friends and allies, to resolve disputes throughout the Middle East and to plan for a more secure and prosperous future for our peoples.”

For his part, Kuwait's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Anas Al-Saleh, who was in attendance, stressed the importance of such-high level attendance at the Kuwait Embassy represented by President Donald Trump, the First Lady and high level members of the cabinet, underlines the "strong relationship Kuwait enjoys with the US.” He added that this also reconfirms the success of the “foreign policies and humanitarian efforts of Kuwait led by His Highness the Amir

Source: KUNA