Speaking before signing the Memorandum of Understanding between the two countries to promote political cooperation, the Kuwait’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Sheikh Sabah Al-Khalid Al-Sabah said that his country was ready to work closely with Tanzania to achieve peace in the region and promote bilateral relations between the two countries.
“We highly appreciate the role that Tanzania is playing to bring peace and stability in the region and Africa at large,” he said, adding that it was for the mutual benefit and interest of both countries to restore peace and stability in the region.
“Our country is not secured if these countries have no stability because Kuwaiti is not far from the region,” he remarked. He expressed deep concern of what is happening in the region citing the instability in the Sudan, Darfur, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Madagascar and Zimbabwe.
He said that Kuwait has been supporting peace efforts in the troubled regions and will continue to work hand in hand with Tanzania to achieve peace and stability. “We shall work together with you (Tanzania) to help in restoring peace and security in the region,” he stressed.
He also said that his country has also reached a decision to open its embassy in Dar es Salaam by the end of this year, adding that this year his country will be marking 30 years of diplomatic relations with Tanzania.
On bilateral relations he said that already there was a joint committee that was established to oversee all sectors of bilateral cooperation. “We are waiting to receive details for the project that will be implemented which will help to create conducive environment for investment,” he said.
His Highness Sheikh Al-Sabah said that Kuwait appreciated the integral role that the country was playing in the preparation for the Arab-African Summit, which will be held in November this year in Kuwait.
In his remarks to welcome the Deputy PM, the Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Mr Bernard Membe, said that when President Kikwete visited Kuwait this year much was achieved in terms of bilateral cooperation.
“We are so honoured to receive you and your delegation in the country,” saying it was a clear indication of the excellent bilateral relations that exist between the two countries, he told the Kuwaiti delegation.
During the signing ceremony, Mr Membe also briefed the Deputy Prime Minister on the political situation in the region, saying the country’s role in the region had a stabilising factor for peace and stability. He also said that Tanzania was already becoming a conducive environment for trade and businesses.
“The indicator for this is the recognition accorded to us by the international community, trust and understanding that the country enjoys,” he said. He mentioned the two top visits by the Chinese top leader and US President Obama as another indicator of confidence by International leaders.
The deputy PM was expected to attend dinner held in his honour and which also is accorded to the SADC foreign ministers. The Kuwait leader was also scheduled to meet with President Kikwete and the Speaker of National Assembly Ms Anne Makinda later yesterday.