This week marks 125 years since our two countries signed the
Anglo-Kuwaiti Agreement of 1899, launching official diplomatic
relations between the State of Kuwait and the United Kingdom of
Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
Believing in the importance of celebrating this landmark, our
respective Governments have jointly agreed to declare 2024 the
Year of the Kuwaiti-British Partnership, as per the agreement
signed on 29 August 2023, in the margins of the visit of His
Highness the Amir of the State of Kuwait, Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad
Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, then Crown Prince, to the United Kingdom.
The close and deep-rooted relationship between our two countries
has grown steadily over the past century and a quarter. We have
supported each other to tackle regional and global challenges,
and to defend and promote our common values.
The Year of the Kuwaiti-British Partnership is an opportunity to
reflect on the achievements of the past 125 years, such as our
historic investment relationship, underpinned by the Kuwait
Investment Office’s 70-year presence in the City of London, and
our collaboration to defend Kuwait’s sovereignty and territorial
integrity during the First Gulf War. We will also seek to enhance
current and future cooperation through high-level visits, events
and initiatives, such as cultural exchanges and education
programmes. Both Governments are committed to continuing to
broaden and deepen our friendship, and ensuring the special ties
between our two peoples continue to grow for another 125 years.
Key areas of focus for cooperation will include trade and
investment, defence, cyber security, education, culture, and
international development. Foreign Ministers will meet for our
Strategic Dialogue, while other senior visits will support this
cooperation, and drive forward collaboration on key foreign
policy issues which underpin our mutual security and prosperity,
as well as on the shared challenges and opportunities that are
emerging in our ever-changing world.
Both countries are eagerly awaiting the rollout of the Electronic
Travel Authorisation (ETA) scheme to Kuwaiti Nationals in
February. This will strengthen further our people-to-people ties
by making it easier than ever before to travel to the UK. We also
look forward to building on existing cooperation in the field of
cybersecurity and defence, including the United Kingdom’s work to
help establish the National Cyber Security Center in Kuwait, and
to reinforcing long-standing ties between our two countries.
The State of Kuwait and the United Kingdom renew their commitment
to continue strengthening cooperation for the benefit of our two
friendly peoples and the wider world.
Commenting on this landmark occasion, Lord (Tariq) Ahmad of
Wimbledon, British Minister of State for the Middle East, South
Asia, UN and the Prime Minister’s Special Representative on
Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict, stated:
I am delighted that we are celebrating this the 125th year of the
Kuwaiti-British Partnership. The UK cherishes its close bond
with Kuwait and is excited by the opportunity this special year
presents to both reflect on our shared history and enhance future
cooperation across a range of fields. On a personal note, I
am very much looking forward to visiting Kuwait next month for
the purpose of co-chairing the twentieth Kuwait-UK Joint Steering
Group alongside my good friend His Excellency Sheikh
Jarrah Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, Deputy Minister of Foreign
Affairs of the State of Kuwait – and to taking part in further
‘125’ events and initiatives throughout 2024. I have every
confidence that our extraordinary ties will continue to grow for
another century and a quarter and beyond.
His Excellency Sheikh Jarrah Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, Deputy
Minister of Foreign Affairs of the State of Kuwait added:
Kuwait is proud of its exceptional and historic relations with
the United Kingdom, and determined to build on all we have
achieved over the past 125 years, including through His Highness
the Amir of the State of Kuwait, Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber
Al-Sabah’s, historic visit to London in August of last year as an
official Guest of His Majesty’s Government. Both countries are
looking forward to launching various activities and exchanging
high-level visits throughout 2024, with the aim of strengthening
both official and people-to-people relations between us.
