Morini: Italy Was and Will Remain by Kuwait's Side in Times of Hardship

The Italian Ambassador to Kuwait, Lorenzo Morini, affirmed the depth of Kuwaiti-Italian relations, describing them as a model of strategic partnership based on mutual trust, shared values, and principles. He emphasized that the friendship between the two countries transcends the boundaries of traditional cooperation, reaching the level of brotherhood and standing by each other in all circumstances.

This statement was made during a speech delivered at a celebration hosted by the Italian Embassy at the Jumeirah Hotel, marking Italy’s National Day, the Anniversary of Italian Unification, and Armed Forces Day. The event was attended by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Ambassador Hamad Al-Mushaan, Commander of the Kuwait Air Force Major General Fahad Al-Kharinji, along with a number of government representatives, diplomatic corps members, and public figures.

The Ambassador noted that the robustness of bilateral relations was confirmed during the recent visit of Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni to Kuwait, where she met with His Highness the Amir, Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad, in the presence of His Highness the Crown Prince, Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled, and His Highness the Prime Minister, Sheikh Ahmad Al-Abdullah. He regarded the visit as a historic and pivotal milestone in the trajectory of relations between the two countries.

He clarified that during the visit, both sides signed several important agreements and adopted the Italian-Kuwaiti Action Plan (2027-2030), which serves as a roadmap to enhance cooperation over the next four years in areas such as political dialogue, defense, security, economy, judicial cooperation, as well as creative projects, cultural heritage, social policies, and environmental issues. He affirmed his commitment to implementing the plan’s provisions in collaboration with relevant Kuwaiti authorities, educational institutions, representatives of the public and private sectors, and civil society organizations, thereby achieving the objectives set by both nations to strengthen their strategic partnership.

In a notable aspect of his speech, the Ambassador stressed the particular significance of this year’s celebrations amid difficult regional conditions. He highlighted the pivotal role played by the Italian Armed Forces in strengthening relations with Kuwait, noting that the presence of Italian soldiers and their contributions serve as tangible evidence of the deep friendship, indeed brotherhood, uniting the two countries.

He recalled the participation of Italian forces in the liberation of Kuwait in 1991, and the support they have provided since then to the Kuwaiti Armed Forces in their modernization journey. He also pointed to their role in supporting regional stability and their participation in the international coalition against ISIS, as well as Kuwait’s long-standing hosting of their presence.

He revealed that approximately 400 Italian soldiers had been stationed in Kuwait since last February, mostly at Ali Al-Salem Air Base. He affirmed that they did not leave their positions despite the outbreak of conflict and intense attacks, forcing them to spend long weeks in shelters under extremely difficult conditions. He added that his country realized during that phase that the Kuwaiti Armed Forces might need support from their international partners, and therefore, Italian soldiers remained on standby to provide assistance. He noted that Italian embassy staff and military personnel remained in Kuwait even during the most intense stages of the conflict.

He said, “This is the nature of true friends; they stay by your side in times of hardship. We stood by you, and we will always do so.”

He affirmed that relations between the two peoples are based on genuine friendship and fidelity to commitments, considering these values as the fundamental pillar of the relationship between Kuwait and Italy.

In his closing remarks, the Ambassador honored Italian military personnel who lost their lives or were injured during peacekeeping missions, including the victims of the Najaf attack in Iraq, Italian soldiers who died in Lebanon, as well as the victims of the recent tragic incident in Bosnia and Herzegovina. He also expressed his appreciation to the sponsors and partners who contributed to organizing the event, and to the members of the Italian Embassy team, commending their efforts in ensuring the success of the occasion. He concluded his speech by emphasizing the deep friendship between the two countries, saying, “Long live Italy, and long live Kuwait.”