National Day Message by H. E. Dr. Yaqoub Alateeqi, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the State of Kuwait to the Republic of Bulgaria

Dear friends of Kuwait in Bulgaria,

On February 25^th, 2021 the State of Kuwait celebrates its 60-years anniversary since obtaining independence and our country began its path toward prosperity and ceaseless growth in every aspect. This date is also related to the liberation of Kuwait from the Iraqi military invasion before 30 years - on February 28^th, 1991. The country celebrates both historical events on one national day – February 25^th.

Unfortunately, the Embassy of the State of Kuwait in Sofia will not be able to celebrate the National Day of Kuwait with the traditional annual reception in view of the global pandemic.

The State of Kuwait has always given high priority to the welfare of its people. Today we can say that the healthcare system in Kuwait is one of the leading in the world, especially in this Covid-19 pandemic that endangers human lives and causes collapses of economic and social systems and isolates peoples. In this hard times the State of Kuwait makes great efforts to ease the negative impact of the pandemic in the country.

Year after year Kuwait proves its strong presence in the regional and the global political scene. Our country will continue its efforts to ensure solving the conflicts in the Middle East with wisdom and diplomacy. The reinstating of the relations between Qatar and Saudi Arabia is a direct result of the Kuwaiti activity.

Kuwait greatly appreciates long-term friendly relations with the people and the government of the Republic of Bulgaria. Both countries seek to increase the goods trade that unfortunately continues to be below the desired level because of transport problems and due to the difficult passage through Iraq and Syria. According to the data from Bulgarian National Bank the trade between the two countries for 2019 was estimated to 15.3 million USD, recording growth of 47% comparing to 2018.

Activating the Bulgarian-Kuwaiti Joint Committee for Commercial and Economic Cooperation, established in 1978, has potential to increase the level of economic relations and to engage Kuwaiti investments in the fields of infrastructure, tourism, agriculture and other in Bulgaria.

The two countries continues to foster good bilateral relations at political level. On March 26, 2018 bilateral political consultations at level deputy ministers of foreign affairs took place in Sofia. The Bulgarian side`s representatives were headed by the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr. Todor Stoyanov. The Kuwaiti delegation was led by the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr. Haled Al-Jarallah. The two parties reviewed the current state and the future perspectives of the bilateral relations and agreed on their priorities to activate and develop the contract law database for further cooperation between the two countries.

On the eve of our National Day I would like to express my hope that the two countries shall overcome the obstacles of the global pandemic and continue the planned projects which will enhance the development of the bilateral relations in the interest of the two friendly countries.

The material was provided by the Embassy of the State of Kuwait to the Republic of Bulgaria. On the photo: H. E. Dr. Yaqoub Alateeqi, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the State of Kuwait to the Republic of Bulgaria