Kuwait, Brazil sign agreements to strengthen mutual relations

July 24, 2010

BRASILIA: His Highness the Prime Minister of Kuwait Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammed Al-Sabah held official talks on Thursday with Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. The talks were attended by the Kuwaiti premier's official accompanying delegation, as well as members of the Brazilian government and of the Brazilian business community.

During the cordial talks, the two sides discussed bilateral relations in the political, economic, commercial, cultural, sports and youth-oriented spheres, as well as means of enhancing these ties in the interest of the two countries and their peoples. The two sides also discussed regional and international issues, and means of strengthening coordination between them at international conventions.

Following the discussions, five agreements were signed between the governments of Kuwait and Brazil. The first agreement was a memorandum related to the environment and sustainable development. It was signed by Kuwait's Deputy Premier and Foreign Minister Sheikh Dr. Mohammad Sabah Al-Sabah and Brazil's Acting Minister of Foreign Relations Antonio Patriota.

The second agreement, concerning technical cooperation, was signed by Kuwait's Minister of Finance Mustafa Jassem Al-Shimali and Brazil's Acting Minister of Foreign Relations Antonio Patriota. The third agreement, a protocol amending the existing economic cooperation agreement, was co-signed by Kuwait's Minister of Finance Mustafa Jassem Al-Shimali and Brazil's Minister Guido Mantega.

The fourth agreement, a memorandum of understanding on sports cooperation, was signed by Kuwait's Minister of Commerce and Industry Ahmad Rashed Al-Haroun and Brazil's Minister of Sports Orlando Silva. The fifth and final agreement, concerning aviation services, was co-signed by Kuwait's Foreign Undersecretary Khalid Suleiman Al-Jarallah and Brazil's Acting Minister of Foreign Relations Antonio Patriota.

In a statement following the signing of the agreements, Undersecretary Al-Jarallah said that the talks were "fruitful and constructive," with a spirit of true friendship prevailing over them. He said that all aspects of mutual relations were discussed during the meeting, as well as means to further consolidate the "excellent" relationship between the two countries and to take it to higher levels in all areas.

Al-Jarallah added that the two sides also discussed international issues, including regional matters in the Gulf among other matters. He noted that the views on these issues were identical for both sides, adding that he sensed the appreciation of the Brazilian side for the Kuwaiti premier's visit, with His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammed Al-Sabah having told President da Silva that his official tour of Latin American and Caribbean nations aimed to strengthen ties between the Latin American and Arabian Gulf states, as well as with Arab countries in general.

Al-Jarallah said that HH Sheikh Nasser's visit indeed reflected the interest of Kuwait and the GCC in working closely with Latin American countries in all fields of mutual interest. Earlier. Brazilian President described his country's relations with Kuwait as deep-rooted and dating back to 40 years of diplomatic ties. The Brazilian leader added that Brazil truly wishes to enhance these ties and to raise the level of cooperation, political dialogue, partnership and development with Kuwait.

The president made his statement during a luncheon he hosted in honor of His Highness the Prime Minister of Kuwait Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammed Al-Sabah and his accompanying delegation. President da Silva said that relations between Kuwait and Brazil have faced some challenges because of international circumstances, but communication between the two nations has never severed and has continued despite the debt crisis Brazil encountered in the 1980s.

This helped Brazil overcome these problems, he said, adding that bilateral relations, which are now headed towards greater political strength, were enhanced during the Gulf War in the 1990s. President da Silva said that His Highness Sheikh Nasser's visit to Brazil represented the beginning of a new era in constructive relations between the two countries, adding that Brazil has its own agenda that will serve the interests of the two countries, and that its aim was not just to strengthen relations with the K

uwaiti government, but also with the Middle East at large, in order to fulfill Brazil's aspirations and interests.---