Kuwait, Switzerland agree to strengthen development cooperation

Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, first deputy prime minister and minister of foreign affairs of Kuwait, and Swiss Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter agreed to work more closely on development cooperation during recent foreign policy consultations in Bern.
 
The agreement came in the form of a memorandum of understanding (MoU), signed in the presence of the two representatives. Kuwait is considered a major player in development cooperation in the Gulf region, especially considering the humanitarian assistance it provides in Syria, and Switzerland has considerable experience and expertise in the cost efficient and effective use of development aid funds.
 
In addition to the MoU, the two officials talked about the region’s stability and how conflicts must be resolved through dialogue and negotiations. They also discussed economic matters, including implementation of the free trade agreement between the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).
 
During Al-Sabah’s visit to Switzerland, he also met with Swiss Confederation President Johann Schneider-Ammann and the President of the National Council Christa Markwalder.