Solution in the offing for exemption from Schengen
Cooperation continues with the European Union to end the exemption for Kuwaitis and citizens of other Gulf countries from the Schengen visa.
Abdullah Al-Yahya, Foreign Minister said that cooperation is ongoing with the European Union to end the issue of exempting Kuwaitis and citizens of other Gulf countries from the Schengen visa.
He pointed out about some procedural steps taken by the European Union, which is currently going through a phase of receiving a new administration, following the formation of a new parliament.
Further to this, Al-Yahya added, in a special statement to Al-Rai, on the sidelines of the first Gulf-European summit, which concluded its work the day before yesterday in Brussels, that the European side is showing cooperation to resolve the issue, and has approved a visa for citizens of the Gulf Cooperation Council countries for a period of 5 years.
Complex Circumstances
Regarding the first Gulf-European summit, Al-Yahya said that it was held at a very sensitive and delicate time and under complex circumstances, noting that it was crowned by high-level participation from both sides.
The summit’s focus was on the issue of partnership and strategic cooperation, noting that the two parties enjoy historical relations and common interests based on the desire to enhance cooperation according to solid foundations and constants, he said.
Moreover, Al-Yahya added that the summit stressed the urgent call to deal with regional and international challenges, and reviewed a number of political, security and economic files, noting that regional issues occupied a large part of the discussions.
Speech by the Prince’s Representative
Al-Yahya said that the representative of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad, His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Al-Abdullah, reviewed in his speech at the summit many important issues and files, stressing Kuwait’s aspiration for full coordination with European partners in all matters of common interest.
On a significant note, Al-Yahya stressed that the summit represents an exceptional opportunity to advance relations between the two sides and launch them towards a comprehensive strategic partnership, based on the vision of the leaders of the Gulf Cooperation Council countries regarding enhancing security and stability at the regional and international levels.
He pointed out that His Highness the Emir’s representative held many important side meetings with European parties, during which he raised many issues and topics of common interest.
Language of Dialogue
Al-Yahya stated that the summit focused on finding solutions to stop the serious violations and transgressions in a number of issues, most notably the Palestinian issue and the Lebanese file, in light of the war waged by the Israeli occupation army against civilians in the two countries.
He also exerted about all efforts to stop the fire and reach radical solutions that spare the region further disasters, in addition to discussing the dangerous escalation in the region regarding Iran, stressing that the language of dialogue is the best way to address all issues, away from threats and military escalation.
Additionally, Al-Yahya mentioned that the discussions at the summit addressed all options, but unfortunately we still see the escalation continuing, stressing that the initiative proposed by Saudi Arabia regarding the “two-state solution” took up an important part of the discussion and was widely accepted by the European side.
European desire
On a broader perspective, Al-Yahya added “We have sensed a serious desire from the European side to address the situation in the Palestinian territories, and we have requested support and assistance in the matter of full recognition of the State of Palestine. We welcome the steps taken by some European countries regarding this recognition, calling for the rest of the countries in the European Union to follow suit.”
Al-Yahya said that there is a great trade partnership between the GCC countries and the European Union, which is based on many agreements, such as the free trade agreement, and we are completing the joint dialogue on these files, in the interests of both parties.
The Gulf-European Ministerial Meeting in Kuwait
The GCC-EU Ministerial Meeting held in Kuwait by the Foreign Minister Abdullah Al-Yahya, said in a statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs yesterday that it was agreed to hold the next ministerial meeting of foreign ministers of the Cooperation Council and the European Union countries, in its 29th session, in the State of Kuwait, in 2025.
The Minister expressed his confidence that this meeting will be another milestone in strengthening GCC-EU cooperation. He added that he looks forward to the next summit that Saudi Arabia will host in 2026, which is expected to be the culmination of ongoing efforts to strengthen the partnership between the two parties.
