In an interview published in Kuwait’s Al-Qabas newspaper on Sunday, His Highness the Premier expressed dismay at using such terms to describe family affairs, noting that the presence of different views between relatives should not be blown out of proportion.
His Highness the Amir is the head of the family and all matters will be settled by him, added the premier.
As for attempts to overthrow the cabinet, Sheikh Nasser said a lot of talk has been going on, but persons who are devoted to serving Kuwait do not pay attention to such things.
While noting that matters at the Oil Ministry were going smoothly, he said that the cabinet was planning on appointing an oil minister to takeover from the current acting official.
He meanwhile lauded the efforts of Electricity and Water Minister and acting Oil Minister Mohammad Al-Olaim.
He said there was harmony within the cabinet, and some ministers were handling portfolios of ministries in which they had previously served, such as Education Minister and Higher Education Minister Nouriya Al-Subeeh, as well as Public Works Minister and State Minister for Municipal Affairs Moussa Al-Sarraf.
He criticized use of improper language, such as terming the cabinet’s agenda as a "failure," noting that constructive critique is needed, not destructive criticism.
He also stressed absolute cooperation between legislative and executive powers, adding that such collaboration has played a great role in ratifying a number of laws, such as those relevant to state property, decreasing tax on foreign investments in Kuwait, and privatizing Kuwait Airways Corporation (KAC).
He hoped such cooperation would continue in the interest of Kuwait and its citizens, adding that turning Kuwait into a financial and economic center is the focus of great effort at present.
"Among a number of projects, we are working to establish three major firms with the participation of fellow citizens to help improve their living standards," he noted.
As for reasons behind frequent change in government, he said this was due to parliamentary interpellations and results which called for reshuffles and change in names.
"Interpellations do not bother us as long as they aim at reform, but having so many of them hinders development plans," he said.
His Highness disagreed with those who keep bringing up the issue of parliamentary dissolution whenever a heated political debate arises, adding that such issue would only be determined by His Highness the Amir.
Regarding the issue of bureaucracy hindering major projects, he said the government will instruct its bodies to practically launch projects a few months after approval, without any unwarranted delays.
He added that the government was doing its best to reduce the cycle of paperwork needed to setup businesses in cooperation with Kuwait Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), noting that such a matter would take sometime as it involved legislation.
He said the issue of Kuwait Stock Exchange (KSE) required the cooperation of all sides and Commerce and Industry Minister Falah Al-Hajri was instructed to implement the law.
"We are currently working to establish a stock market authority during the upcoming parliamentary sessions," he added.
Speaking about increasing salaries, he said the cabinet was examining this matter in accordance with the interests and needs of citizens.
As for dissolving Kuwait Union of Consumer Co-operative Societies (KUCCS), he said the cabinet would either turn the union into a holding company with the membership of co-operatives or let each co-operative be separately handled by the private sector.
The increase in prices is currently being considered by Al-Hajri, as well as Social Affairs and Labor Minister Jamal Al-Shihab, to ensure proper counter-measures, he said.
The development of hospitals, he added, is currently being considered through appointing a board of directors for each hospital with the membership of inhabitants in areas that have medical centers in the boards.
Regarding naturalization, he explained that this matter will be thoroughly examined by interior minister, Justice Ministry, and relevant security authorities.
Gender segregation is a law and the constitution permits amending it through voting in parliament, he said.
He said the setback in public services did not take place in a short period of time but accumulated over decades, so reforming such things requires a good amount of time to ensure settlement.
While saying that nobody wishes to have war in the Gulf, he hoped regional and international efforts would yield positive results.
He hoped to rid the region from all forms of weapons of mass destruction, expressing much trust in Iran and Director-General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Mohammad El-Baradei regarding efforts to settle the issue of Iran’s nuclear dossier.
His Highness also hoped turmoil in Iraq, Palestine, and Lebanon will be resolved as soon as possible to ensure overall regional tranquility.
He said the role of the US toward regional issues should be realistic and objective, especially when it comes to the Palestinian cause, noting that there are still a number of initiatives and international resolutions that were not properly implemented to end this conflict that has been going on for decades.
