Kuwaiti Emir visit to Iran

Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah wrapped his visit to Tehran on Monday [June 2] following a two-day stay in the Iranian capital. He was officially seen off by Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif.
Based on a report by IRNA, Sheikh Sabah was welcomed by the Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif upon his arrival at Tehran's Mehrabad Airport on Sunday and was later on received by President Hasan Rouhani in Saˈadabad historical and cultural compound. After bilateral talks, a signing ceremony was held at the place during which 6 MOUs were signed and exchanged.
An MOU on air transport was signed by Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif and his Kuwaiti counterpart Sabah al-Khaled al-Ahmad al-Sabah. Customs cooperation MOU was signed by Iranˈs Economic and Finance Minister Ali Tayyebnia and Kuwaiti Minister of Finance Anas Khaled al-Saleh. Four other MOUs on sports, environment, tourism and security were also signed by the two parties
Speaking among the reporters at the airport after the departure of Kuwaiti Emir, Javad Zarif said: "the state visit has been the first since 10 years before the Islamic revolution and second since the independence of Kuwait'". He further noted that the visit provided a unique opportunity for both leaders to discuss issues of mutual interest and concern including extremism, violence and sectarianism. Both leaders reiterated the need for the Persian Gulf countries to cooperate and both held similar views regarding the discussed topics.
Referring to the MOUs signed between the two countries on air transport, sports, environment and security, Mr. Zarif hoped that the visit together with the agreements bring the private sectors of both countries closer and serve the interests of both nations and the region.
As reported by Mehr News Agency, President Rouhani, in his meeting with Kuwaiti Emir Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah, referred to the historical, cultural and geographical commonalities enjoyed by the two nations and noted that prudence and perseverance on the part of officials were necessary to bring the two countries closer. He stressed that, undoubtedly, the visit would serve as a turning point in deepening ties between the two brotherly and friendly states and added that the economic capacities for mutual cooperation were numerous and expressed regret that the potential had not been utilized yet.
Referring to the Iranian administration's plans to provide investment opportunities in the country, Rouhani made clear that there existed suitable grounds for investment by Kuwait's public and private sectors across Iran's southern areas, including Abadan and Khorramshahr, the two cities close to Kuwait. Concerning the expansion of tourism industry between Iran and Kuwait, Rouhani insisted that the necessary facilities should be prepared for the people of both countries. He noted that no obstacles existed on the way of Iran-Kuwait economic, cultural and political relations and given the political will prevailed among top officials of both countries to deepen relations, the ministers had to plan to realize the goal.
He went on to say that Iran and Kuwait have close and common views on the regional and international political issues, adding that "Middle East has been facing many problems over the past years, but we are glad that today we are witnessing a relative stability in the countries of the region."
The Kuwaiti emir, for his part, expressed pleasure with his visit to the Islamic Republic of Iran and said that the Kuwaiti government has firm determination to develop economic, cultural and political cooperation with Iran and assured that the visit will serve the interests of both countries.
Kuwaiti Emir noted that clear planning and effective communication among the officials of both countries are necessary to promote bilateral relations particularly in economic areas. In this regard, he noted that the main intention behind their visit is to give the officials of both countries a chance to reach agreement on future cooperation and relations. Sheikh Sabah, at the end, called on all the Islamic countries to work together to reach unity and resolve conflicts.
A Constructive and mutually beneficial visit
Kuwait's first deputy prime minister and foreign minister, Sheik Sabah Al Khalid Al Sabah, accompanying Kuwaiti Emir to Iran, described the visit as "constructive and mutually beneficial for both countries and the region" and said it was important for countries in the region to have normal relations with Iran. He highlighted Kuwait's efforts to reach agreement with Iran on various regional and international grounds and considered Iran as one of the main pillars of peace and security in the region.
Kuwait: A potential bridge
Kuwait's emir visit to Iran on Sunday, the first by a ruler of the Persian Gulf Arab state since the 1979 Islamic revolution, underscored the importance of ties between Tehran and its Arab neighbors, as reported by Reuters.
Rouhani, elected last year, has been trying to improve international ties with Persian Gulf countries being at the top of his foreign policy agenda. Kuwait is seen as a potential bridge between Iran and other Persian Gulf states including Saudi with which relations remain strained, not least because of opposing stances over Syria's civil war.
Kuwaiti Emir, the messenger
Kuwaiti Emir in his recent visit to Iran conveyed the Persian Gulf state's message on the necessity to create a safe and stable regional system based on non-interference in other countries' internal affairs, Elaph new portal reported. In his meeting with President Rouhani, Kuwaiti Emir highlighted the importance of cooperation among the countries in the region to resolve the existing issues inviting all Islamic countries to walk hand in hand in the spirit of unity.