(MENAFN- Kuwait News Agency (KUNA)) KUWAIT, March 6 (KUNA) -- Kuwait welcomes Lavrov's second visit within two years, which gives a clear indication of the friendly country's keenness of developing bilateral "historic" ties, said Deputy Premier and Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah Wednesday.
Speaking at a joint press conference with visiting Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov, the Kuwaiti top diplomat noted that the visit is significant, especially amidst current regional and global changes, in which, Russia plays a 'pivotal" role in.
Despite the fact that diplomatic ties with Moscow date back to 1963, "yet it runs even deeper and more historic when a Russian vessel docked in Kuwait in 1902," Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled noted, recalling Russia's supportive role of UN Security Council resolutions upon the 1990 Iraqi invasion and occupation.
"We were honored to meet His Highness the Amir, where we listened to His Highness's valuable and wise directives in terms of buttressing joint relations (with Russia)," the foreign minister told the press conference on him being received, along with Lavrov, by His Highness the Amir earlier today.
Describing talks with the Russian side as "inclusive and intensive", Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled said the meeting covered most cooperation areas; significantly the economic one.
"We appreciate the Russian Federation's efforts and full support of His Highness the Amir's mediation efforts to mend the GCC rift." For his part, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov praised the results of the meeting held with His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, pointing out to the important bilateral talks with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Khalid, which dealt with the agreements concluded between the two countries during His Highness the Amir's visit to Russia in 2015.
He said that the sixth meeting of the joint economic and trade committee, which was held on the sideline of his current visit, contribute to enhancing relations and investment between the two countries, adding that Russian Investment Fund and Kuwait Investment Authority are discussing projects estimated at USD 200 million.
He confirmed that Moscow supports military cooperation with Kuwait, pointing out to the participation of a Kuwaiti military delegation in the Russian Expo Arms last year.
Lavrov also underlined the parliamentary cooperation between the two countries, pointing to the expected visit of National Assembly Speaker Marzouq Al-Ghanim to Moscow during the coming period, to enhance cooperation and coordination between the two parliaments on various issues of common concern.
The Russian foreign minister added that his talks in Kuwait dealt with the political dialogue on regional and international issues, cooperation in the UN Security Council, the developments in Yemen, Syria, Iraq and Libya, Palestinian-Israeli talks and the Arab peace initiative.
Regarding the GCC crisis, Lavrov said that his talks in Kuwait tackled the developments in the Gulf region and the Russian proposal to ensure the security and stability among the GCC countries and Iran.
Moreover, Lavrov confirmed that Russia supports the efforts of the Syrian government to return refugees to their homes, through opening safe corridors for them to return, pointing out that Saudi Arabia considers it necessary to speed up the activation of the Syrian Constitutional Commission.
On the developments of the so-called "Deal of the Century", Lavrov said: "We would like to hear more details about the (deal of the century), especially since what we hear from the Americans is very worrying," adding that it would destroy all progress made so far in negotiations between Palestine and Israel.
On the latest developments on the issue of the Russian citizen Marsha Lazareva, who was sentenced in Kuwait over suspected involvement in a financial crime case, Lavrov said: "We dealt with this subject in accordance with Kuwaiti law and international conventions." Lazareva was detained in Kuwait on charges misusing public funds.
The joint conference came after both sides held official talks during the sixth session of the Russian-Kuwaiti joint committee for economic, commercial, scientific and technological cooperation.
The session was chaired by the Kuwaiti Minister of Oil and Minister of Electricity and Water Dr. Khaled Al-Fadhel, while the Russian side was headed by the Russian Minister for North Caucasus Federal Affairs Sergey Chebotarev. (end) aab.haq
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