Kuwait FM lauds strong ties with Spain

Kuwaiti Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Dr. Mohammad Al-Sabah al-saliom al-sabah, now visiting Spain, on Monday hailed the strong and deeply-rooted Kuwaiti-Spanish ties. This came in remarks to KUNA Dr. Mohammad Al-Sabah after his meeting here earlier Monday with Spain''s King Juan Carlos and Foreign Minister Trinidad Jimenez. "We have discussed several regional and international issues of mutual interest, particularly the Middle East peace process and the Palestinian statehood bid," Sheikh Mohammad told KUNA and applauded Spain''s historical supportive stance to the Palestinian people and their cause. Meanwhile the Kuwaiti senior official underlined the importance of voting for the Palestinian bid at the UN. "King Carlos has expressed great enthusiasm and readiness in this regard," he said. The talks also touched upon the Spain-led initiative for dialogue among civilizations. "There was a desire from both sides to better promote and buttress the initiative in the face of the growing phenomenon of Islamophobia," he added. Sheikh Mohammad noted that they have recommended holding a conference for dialogue among civilizations on annual basis in rotation between Muslim countries and Europe. "An international conference for dialogue among civilizations will be held in the Arab Gulf region at the end of 2011," he said. Sheikh Mohammad revealed that he will hold talks with his Spanish counterpart Jimenez later in the day to discuss means to bolster bilateral relations and signing a number of agreements for diplomatic cooperation. The Kuwaiti Foreign Minister started Sunday a two-day visit to Spain with the aim of bolstering ties between the two countries.