“The funds will be pumped to development projects slated for implementation during the transitional period in Yemen between 2012 and 2014,” Sheikh Sabah Khalid said in his address to the ministerial meeting of the Friends of Yemen Group here.
“I’d like to seize this opportunity to congratulate the Yemeni people on the strides they have made in the process of peaceful transition envisaged by the GCC initiative for sisterly Yemen and the related executive mechanisms,” he said. The county is now proceeding on the right track towards ending its political crisis, restoring security and stability, and meeting the aspirations of its people for democracy, development and decent life, the minister pointed out.
Sheikh Sabah renewed the commitment of Kuwait as a GCC member state, to working with the friends of Yemen group of states in order to shore up the Yemeni economy through the implementation of the ambitious development projects. “The State of Kuwait has contributed effectively to the economic development in the country since 1964, long years before the reunification of north and south Yemen on May 22, 1990, he noted.
Kuwait contributed a total of $420 million to 226 projects in the fields of infrastructure, healthcare and education during this period. Since its inception in 1968, the Kuwaiti fund in the Yemeni republic has carried out 29 projects in the domains of transport and communication, energy and agriculture through soft loans amounting to $253 million. It also offered Yemen 21 grants and technical assistance amounting in value to $10.4 million, the minister went on.
Sheikh Sabah added that the Kuwaiti and Yemeni governments agreed to set aside $200 million, out of the new contributions, to five projects three of which are under construction. Concluding, he reaffirmed Kuwait’s commitment to support the Yemeni economy and contribute to the efforts of the international community aiming to combat poverty in, and stabilize, Yemen.
Meanwhile, Sheikh Sabah Khalid said here that Russia played an integral role at the UNSC and it was important to hold talks with Moscow to bring upon a resolution towards the crisis in Syria. Sheikh Sabah Al-Khalid’s statements came after the GCC Foreign Ministers meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. “The meeting was of great importance and we are keen on dialogue with Russia, exchanging views with Moscow on the Syrian issue,” said the Kuwaiti Foreign Minister, adding that “it was a huge responsibility to brief the Russian Foreign Minister on the Arab view over the Syrian situation and the Arab League handling of the issue through its various stages.”
United Nations and Arab League Special Representative for Syria Lakhdar Brahimi should focus his mission on bringing security and peace to the fellow Arab country, said the Kuwaiti Minister. He said that the situation in Syria was very alarming, hoping that things would not escalate to the point of civil war which would lead to the displacement of Syrian people in and outside the country.
Touching on the Asia Cooperation Dialogue Ministerial meeting, Sheikh Sabah Al-Khalid stressed his country was keen on the success of the meeting to be held in Kuwait in three weeks time, noting meetings with Asian foreign officials here were very important to highlight the matter.
