Juliewa: Kuwaiti Diplomacy a Beacon Amid Current Circumstances

Kuwaiti officials confirmed the depth and distinction 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.

Ambassador Najib Al-Badr, Assistant Undersecretary for European Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stated in a press comment on the sidelines of the Polish Embassy’s celebration at the Jumeirah Hotel marking Poland’s National Day, 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, attended by the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs. During these talks, several areas of mutual interest were discussed, alongside regional and international developments.

Al-Badr clarified that cooperation between the two nations 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 sector will witness a qualitative leap in the coming period.

He recalled the honorable historical positions taken by 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.

He affirmed the importance of commemorating this occasion and recalling shared positions, and working to build upon them to enhance bilateral relations and broaden the horizons of cooperation between the two countries.

For his part, Ambassador Michal Goliwa of the Republic of Poland to Kuwait affirmed his country’s pride in the historical relations and solid partnership it shares with Kuwait. He praised Kuwait’s resilience amid the difficult security conditions in the Middle East, reaffirming Poland’s full solidarity with Kuwait and its support for Kuwaiti diplomacy’s efforts to achieve peace and stability.

This came during the ceremony attended by Assistant Undersecretary for European Affairs Ambassador Najib Al-Badr, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Defense Sheikh Dr. Abdullah Al-Mashal, along with several ambassadors, heads of diplomatic missions, and members of the Polish community in Kuwait.

The ambassador noted that Poland celebrates on November 11 the 108th anniversary of the restoration of its independence, emphasizing that freedom is a fundamental value that requires protection and nurturing every day, and that his country’s historical experience gives it a deeper understanding of the challenges facing the contemporary world.

He praised Kuwait’s balanced stance in dealing with regional developments, noting that Kuwait’s calm and measured diplomacy serves as a beacon under current circumstances. Quoting the Arab proverb, “He who walks with steady steps does not stumble,” he affirmed Poland’s deep respect for Kuwait’s vision and diplomatic approach.

The ambassador explained that this year marks the 35th anniversary of the opening of the Polish Embassy in Kuwait, which was Poland’s first embassy in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, noting that this step constituted an important foundational milestone in building solid relations between the two nations.

He noted that political relations have witnessed significant activity this year, marked by the meeting between His Highness the Crown Prince, Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled, and the Polish President, alongside talks held by the foreign ministers of the two countries in Ankara, as well as the conclusion of the fifth round of political consultations in Warsaw.

On defense cooperation, the ambassador affirmed that the Kuwaiti-Polish partnership extends beyond the political sphere into practical fields, foremost among them defense cooperation and military education. He expressed his country’s pride in contributing to the training and qualification of Kuwaiti military personnel. He pointed out that 25 Kuwaiti officers graduated last August from the Polish Naval Academy in Gdynia, after completing intensive academic studies and naval tactical training programs, commending the graduates’ high standards and Kuwait’s confidence in Polish military expertise.

The ambassador welcomed the presence of the Deputy Minister of Defense, the Commander of the Naval Forces, and a delegation of graduating officers, expressing his appreciation for their service and their trust in the competence of Polish military institutions.

On the tourism front, he highlighted growing people-to-people ties between the two countries, noting the increasing interest of Kuwaiti tourists in visiting Poland due to its rich historical and cultural heritage and stunning natural scenery. He explained that direct flights between Kuwait and Krakow have contributed to strengthening ties between the two nations, expressing his pleasure at the prospect of maintaining these flights during the winter season as well, thereby opening broader horizons for tourism and exchanges between the two peoples.

On the economic level, the ambassador stressed that Poland possesses a strong economy with positive indicators, pointing to his country’s participation in the G20 summit, which he considered a reflection of the strength, reliability, and innovative capacity of the Polish economy, as well as growing international confidence in it.

The ambassador expressed his appreciation for the Polish embassy team and all its staff for their efforts in organizing the celebration, calling for honoring Poland’s journey and its partnership with Kuwait. He prayed for His Highness the Amir of Kuwait to continue enjoying good health and well-being, and for the State of Kuwait and its people to enjoy continued prosperity and development, as well as for Kuwaiti-Polish relations to maintain their friendship and progress.