‘Kuwait key political partner in region for Czech Republic, EU’

• Kuwait joined the Istanbul Cooperation Initiative in 2004 and has since played an active role in addressing regional and international challenges. The country has been hosting NATO’s regional center since 2017.

• H.E. Anne Koistinen, the Ambassador of the EU to Kuwait, said with the addition of ten new members, Europe achieved a genuine economic miracle. People and companies across Europe enjoyed new opportunities for studying, working, exporting, and investing in a broader union

His Excellency Jaroslav Siro, the Ambassador of Czech Republic to the country, affirmed Kuwait’s significance as a crucial political ally in the region for both the Czech Republic and the entire European Union (EU). He emphasized the shared major international concerns and goals between Kuwait and his country.

During the ceremony organized by the Czech Embassy to mark the twentieth anniversary of the largest expansion of the European Union and the twenty-fifth anniversary of the accession of the Czech Republic, Hungary, and Poland to NATO, Ambassador Sadeq Marafi, the Assistant Foreign Minister for European Affairs, along with Abdulaziz Saud Al-Jarallah, the Assistant Foreign Minister for International Organizations Affairs, and Muhammad Al-Arifan, the Director of the Regional Center for the NATO-Istanbul Cooperation Initiative, were present.

In his speech, the ambassador emphasized his country’s strong support for close cooperation between the European Union, Kuwait, and other Gulf Cooperation Council countries. He highlighted that the positive developments in the Gulf region create an opportunity for establishing closer institutional relations between the EU and the Gulf Cooperation Council countries.

He emphasized the significance of strategic cooperation between NATO and the State of Kuwait, highlighting Kuwait’s role as a crucial partner in bolstering regional stability and security in the Gulf region. He pointed out that Kuwait joined the Istanbul Cooperation Initiative in 2004 and has since played an active role in addressing regional and international challenges. Furthermore, Kuwait has been hosting NATO’s regional center since 2017.

Ambassador Siro mentioned that the Istanbul Cooperation Initiative Regional Center functions as a hub for enhancing practical collaboration between NATO and its Gulf partners across multiple domains, such as strategic analysis, civil preparedness, military cooperation, and public diplomacy. Its objective is to enhance mutual comprehension of security challenges and, by promoting interoperability and standardization, facilitate closer cooperation. The recent General Conference on Climate Change and Security, jointly organized by the NATO Regional Center and the Istanbul Cooperation Initiative, underscores the strong ties between NATO and Kuwait.

The ambassador highlighted EU membership’s positive impact on new members, leading to revived democracies and vibrant civil societies. Participation in the free market boosted economies and attracted foreign direct investment, increasing people’s standard of living. For instance, the Czech Republic’s standard of living rose from 73% of the EU average in 2000 to 93% in 2021.

Twenty years ago, dreams of these revolutions came true. One of the slogans chanted then in the frozen Prague squares was “Back to Europe“. This referred to Western Europe, of course. The main driving force for returning to Europe was the desire to return to where we have always historically belonged. To a Europe based on the values of democracy and freedom. Ultimate goal of these countries, therefore, was the full membership in all Euro Atlantic political and economic structures. The ambassador added.

H.E. Anne Koistinen, the Ambassador of the European Union to the country, mentioned that the ‘Europe Team’ in Kuwait, comprising the European Union delegation and 16 embassies of EU member states, is celebrating ‘Europe Month’ with various activities. She noted that this celebration of the European Union’s expansion is one of its greatest successes.

Ambassador Koistinen added in her speech during the ceremony, “Twenty years ago, a new and larger European Union was born. At midnight on May 1, 2004, celebrations commenced across the entire continent, with fireworks lighting up the skies of Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia, and Slovenia to welcome the new members. This event was described in the European Union as happy and unforgettable.”

The ambassador added that due to the 2004 enlargement, the number of EU member states increased overnight from 15 to 25, and the number of official languages increased from 11 to 21, while the bloc’s population grew by 75 million people.

The ambassador explained that this event was a unique opportunity for Europe to continue uniting the previously divided continent and to expand the peace project, which is essential to the existence of the European Union. This project, covering much of the continent, is based on a common set of values: democracy, the rule of law, and respect for fundamental freedoms and rights.

Ambassador Koistinen added, “It was not just the birth of a larger union; it was the birth of a new era. It was a promise, because Europe is a promise: the promise that all Europeans are capable of becoming masters of their own destiny. The promise of freedom, stability, peace, and prosperity was fulfilled in the 20 years that followed.”

The ambassador explained that with the addition of ten new members, Europe achieved a genuine economic miracle. People and companies across Europe enjoyed new opportunities for studying, working, exporting, and investing in a broader union. The results were quickly evident, as some of the new member states experienced rapid economic growth, surpassing the growth rates of older European Union members.

Ambassador Koistinen said, “The ten countries now also play a very important role in shaping the European Union’s response to global challenges. I thank the Eastern members for their resolute support for Ukraine, and I commend Cyprus’ leadership in opening a sea corridor for aid to Gaza. Thanks to them, Europe’s voice on the world stage is much stronger.”