Al-Badr: Shared Kuwaiti-Polish Commitment to Strengthening Bilateral Cooperation and Building on Achievements

Osama Diab: Assistant Undersecretary of State for European Affairs, Ambassador Najib Al-Badr, affirmed the depth and distinctiveness of Kuwait-Poland relations across various fields, highlighting both countries’ commitment to enhancing political, defense, military, commercial, and investment cooperation, and building upon past achievements and shared historical milestones.

Al-Badr, in a press statement on the sidelines of a reception hosted by the embassy to mark Poland’s National Day and the anniversary of its independence, attended by Undersecretary of Defense Sheikh Dr. Abdullah Al-Mushaal, along with several ambassadors, heads of diplomatic missions, and members of the Polish community in Kuwait, stated that Kuwait takes pride in its diplomatic relations with the Republic of Poland, which span 63 years. He extended his warmest congratulations and best wishes to the Polish leadership, government, and people on this occasion.

He added that political relations between the two countries feature continuous communication and coordination, particularly during the sixth round of political consultations held last September in Warsaw, with the participation of the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, where several areas of mutual interest and regional and international developments were discussed.

He clarified that cooperation between the two countries also covers defense and military fields, especially in training and qualifying Kuwaiti students at the Polish Naval Academy. He expressed his appreciation for commercial and investment cooperation and his expectation that this aspect will witness a qualitative leap in the coming phase.

Al-Badr recalled the honorable historical positions of the Republic of Poland toward Kuwait, particularly during the Iraqi invasion in 1990, when Poland declared its solidarity with Kuwait and condemned the aggression, based on a stance consistent with international law and the UN Charter. He emphasized that these firm positions represent milestones that inspire pride and appreciation.

For his part, Polish Ambassador to Kuwait, Michal Goliwa, affirmed the depth of the historical relations linking his country with Kuwait and Poland’s pride in the solid partnership with Kuwait. He praised Kuwait’s balanced stance in dealing with the security challenges facing the Middle East region, reaffirming Poland’s full solidarity with Kuwait and its support for Kuwait’s diplomatic efforts aimed at consolidating peace and stability in the region.

Goliwa commended the wisdom guiding Kuwaiti diplomacy in handling regional developments, considering it a model to follow under current circumstances. He emphasized Poland’s deep respect for Kuwait’s vision and balanced approach, citing the Arabic proverb: “He who walks steadily does not stumble.”

The ambassador stressed that Kuwait-Poland relations are witnessing noticeable development across various fields, noting that this year marks the 35th anniversary of the establishment of permanent diplomatic representation of Poland in Kuwait, which hosted the first Polish embassy in the Gulf Cooperation Council region. This reflects the special status Kuwait holds in Polish foreign policy and embodies the deep ties binding the two countries.

He pointed out that this year has seen a surge in high-level political communication, manifested in the meeting between the Crown Prince and the Polish President, as well as talks held by the foreign ministers of both countries in Ankara, in addition to the conclusion of the fifth round of Kuwait-Poland political consultations in Warsaw, with the participation of the deputy foreign ministers, reflecting a shared commitment to advancing bilateral relations to broader horizons.

In a related context, Juliewa clarified that cooperation between the two countries extends beyond the political framework to include vital areas, foremost among them defense and military education cooperation. He expressed his country’s pride in contributing to the qualification and training of Kuwaiti military personnel and in exchanging expertise in defense fields.

He noted that 25 Kuwaiti officers graduated last August from the Polish Naval Academy in Gdynia, after completing specialized academic programs and tactical training in the maritime domain, commending the graduates’ competence and praising Kuwait’s confidence in Polish military institutions and expertise.

On the level of people-to-people and tourism ties, the ambassador pointed to the growing interest of Kuwaiti citizens in visiting Poland to enjoy its diverse tourism assets, historical and cultural heritage, and stunning natural scenery. He affirmed that direct flights between Kuwait and Krakow have contributed to strengthening ties between the two peoples and facilitating travel.

He expressed his satisfaction with the move to maintain direct flights during the winter season as well, considering that this would broaden the scope of tourism exchange and enhance rapprochement between the two countries.

In the economic sphere, Juliewa affirmed that Poland boasts a strong economy and positive indicators reflecting its resilience and capacity for growth and innovation. He highlighted his country’s participation in the G20 summit and its attendance at the group’s meetings held last week in Atlanta, viewing this as an indication of the growing stature of the Polish economy and the enhancement of international confidence in its capabilities and potential.