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The European Parliament's delegation for relations with the Arab Peninsula (DARP) travelled to Kuwait City on 3-4 November 2021 in order to hold the 10th Inter-parliamentary meeting (IPM) EU-Kuwait.
The delegation was composed of 5 Members, led by Sven Simon (European People's Party, Germany), Ismail Ertug (Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats, Germany); José Ramón Bauzá Díaz (Renew, Spain); Diana Riba i Giner (Greens, Spain) and Ryszard Czarnecki (European Conservatives and Reformists, Poland). This was the first Parliamentary delegation to the country since the imposition of travel restrictions, which emerged because of the Covid-19 pandemic, and since the establishment of the new EU Delegation in Kuwait in 2019.
Members held high-level meetings with H.E. Sheikh Hamad Jaber Al-Ali Al-Sabah, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence and H.E. Majdi Al-Dhafeeri, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs. . During these visits, Members discussed bilateral relations, issues of mutual interest and economic relations. They also talked about the recent elections in Iraq, the ongoing conflict in Yemen and the GCC's relationship with Iran. Members voiced their appreciation for the key role traditionally played by the State of Kuwait in defusing tensions and contributing to finding lasting solutions to regional disputes and conflicts.
Meetings with H.E. Mr Marzouq al-Ghanem, Speaker of the National Assembly of Kuwait and the foreign affairs committee of the National Assembly, were held in a very friendly atmosphere and paved the way to deeper parliamentary cooperation between the European Union and Kuwait Kuwait Speaker is looking forward to the holding of a summit between the EU and GCC speakers in the near future.
The socio-economic situation in the country was also discussed in the context of the post-pandemic recovery, as well as environmental challenges and economic reforms. Members agreed that economic cooperation and more trading arrangements would be beneficial for both sides.
The issue of visa waiver for Kuwait citizens was debated at length. Members showed understanding and commitment to exert pressure on the European Commission in order to secure a rapid decision in favour of Kuwait, once basic legal conditions are met.
During the official visit, discussions also covered the state of human rights in the region including Kuwait. Specifically talks covered the situation of stateless residents known as "Bidoons", the rights of migrant workers and freedom of expression.
Source : © European Union, 2021 - EP
