HH the Amir made Kuwait the most secure and stable country: Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammad
Kuwait committed to developing relations with countries across the globe and has placed great importance on its foreign relations—particularly with nations of distinguished standing in the international community. Today, these relations have reached new heights thanks to the Amir’s leadership, which promotes communication and openness with friendly and sisterly nations.
His Highness Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammad Al-Sabah affirmed that Kuwait, under the wise leadership of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Meshaal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, has become one of the most secure and stable countries in the region.
He emphasized Kuwait’s steadfast commitment to developing its relations with countries across the globe, noting that since gaining independence, Kuwait has placed great importance on its foreign relations—particularly with nations of distinguished standing in the international community. Today, he said, these relations have reached new heights thanks to the Amir’s leadership, which promotes communication and openness with friendly and sisterly nations, including Switzerland—a trusted partner and a strategic friend to Kuwait.
Sheikh Nasser made these remarks during the inauguration of the new Swiss Embassy building in Al-Qadisiyah, expressing his delight at this significant occasion. He recalled the early days of Kuwaiti-Swiss relations, which were established on June 16, 1966, when he himself served as Kuwait’s first Consul General in Geneva. “I was honored to lay the first brick in the edifice of Kuwaiti-Swiss relations,” he said, recounting his two years of service in Switzerland before being appointed Ambassador to Iran in 1968. “Switzerland has remained in my heart,” he added, “for its values of order, respect, and precision—principles that deeply influenced my diplomatic career.”
He highlighted that relations between the two nations have since evolved remarkably, beginning with the opening of Switzerland’s honorary consulate in Kuwait in 1967 and its embassy in 1975. Kuwait, in turn, inaugurated its embassy in Bern in 2006 during Sheikh Nasser’s tenure as Prime Minister, underscoring the importance of enhancing bilateral ties in political, economic, and cultural fields. He also recalled his official visit to Switzerland in 2011, which further strengthened cooperation between the two countries.
Sheikh Nasser described Switzerland as more than a global financial hub or a safe investment destination, calling it a unique model of success and independence. Despite its small size, he said, Switzerland balances economy and humanity, power and morality, and plays a vital role as a neutral mediator in global and regional affairs, thanks to its long-standing neutrality and the world’s confidence in its steady diplomacy.
He drew parallels between Swiss and Gulf diplomatic traditions, describing Swiss diplomacy as calm, discreet, and sincere—qualities closely aligned with Gulf values. This, he noted, has made Switzerland a preferred partner for Gulf states in mediation and shared interests. Switzerland, he added, has also become a global platform for humanitarian dialogue in a world burdened by crises, earning the reputation of being the “protector state” and “the conscience of humanity.”
Sheikh Nasser further observed that relations between Switzerland and Gulf countries have flourished beyond politics and economics, extending into social and tourism realms. Swiss cities, he said, have long been favored destinations for Gulf families, fostering strong human and cultural bonds. Many Kuwaitis own homes in Switzerland, reflecting the mutual respect and enduring friendship between the two peoples.
He noted that Kuwaiti-Swiss relations have witnessed significant progress in recent years, marked by high-level visits and political consultations aimed at enhancing coordination on regional and global issues. One notable meeting, he recalled, was between His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled and former Swiss President Viola Amherd on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York last year.
Concluding his remarks, Sheikh Nasser said, “What unites us today is an exceptional relationship built on mutual trust and shared interests, proving that even small nations can achieve great moral influence through trust, not force.”
Speaking on the sidelines of the event, Foreign Minister Abdullah Al-Yahya expressed his appreciation for participating in the ceremony, affirming that Sheikh Nasser’s speech reflected the true depth of Kuwaiti-Swiss relations. He added that his Swiss counterpart had invited him to visit Switzerland soon to further strengthen cooperation between the two nations.
Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis, for his part, hailed the opening of the new embassy as a symbol of the enduring friendship between Kuwait and Switzerland, spanning more than six decades. He praised Kuwait as a model of openness and balance and described Sheikh Nasser as “Switzerland’s greatest friend in Kuwait.” Cassis emphasized that the new embassy represents not just a physical relocation but a reaffirmation of the solid partnership between the two countries, rooted in mutual trust, cultural exchange, and shared values of neutrality and peace.
Swiss Ambassador H.E. Dr Tiziano Balmelli also highlighted that the new embassy building reflects the strength of bilateral relations and the deep human ties linking the two peoples, noting that Switzerland has long been a “second home” for many Kuwaiti families. Foreign Minister Al-Yahya reiterated Kuwait’s commitment to advancing this friendship and cooperation in all fields, while Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammad hosted a luncheon at Shuwaikh Palace in honor of Minister Cassis and his delegation—an occasion that symbolized the lasting warmth and mutual respect defining Kuwaiti-Swiss relations.
