Minister of Foreign Affairs : Dr.
Mohammad Sabah Al-Salem Al-Sabah Al-Sabah
(also the Deputy Prime Minister)
Website : www.mofa.org
Foreign Affairs is an important portfolio. The main task
of the Ministry is to define, implement and shape the nation's
foreign policy to meet the challenges of fast-changing regional
and global developments. The Ministry is responsible for
defining and shaping Kuwait's relations with other countries,
and its response to international issues and related subjects.
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Kuwait's Foreign Policy
In essence, Kuwait's foreign policy is based on the principles
of clarity, straightforwardness and quiet diplomacy. It aims at
strengthening constructive cooperation with other countries on
the basis of mutual respect, and non-intervention in the internal
affairs in accordance with the principles of fairness and justice.
Kuwait's foreign policy is also concerned with the maintenance
of its own independence, sovereignty and freedom of political
decision.
The formation of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) is an expression
and extension of Kuwait's primary foreign policy goals. Created
on February 4, 1981, the GCC has based its work on these principles
to intensify efforts towards broadening cooperation among its
members. The Charter of the GCC was signed by Kuwait, Bahrain,
Qatar, the UAE, Oman and Saudi Arabia in May 1981. The GCC groups
together countries that are similar in culture, political structure
and legal framework. The preferred approach of the GCC States
is political mediation, crisis management and balance of power
politics. The Charter aims at establishing a free market aiming
a currency union and free movement of labour among the member
countries.
The Gulf Investment Corporation (GIC) was set up under the GCC
Charter to investigate and fund development projects within the
GCC for the production of import substitutes. The GIC has made
impressive strides in the various fields.
Kuwait is also a member of the Arab League, where it realises
its belief in a common Arab destiny by enhancing its relations
with the Arab States. Kuwait actively supports, and works for
the advancement of the cardinal principles of the Arab League
and all its associated organisations.
At the level of the Islamic States, Kuwait has achieved reasonable
success in overcoming the obstacles that weaken Islamic cooperation.
The fifth Islamic Conference hosted by Kuwait in January 1987
played a catalytic role towards attaining greater success.
Kuwait joined the United Nations on May 14, 1963 thereby becoming
the 111th member of the world body. Kuwait has upheld the UN's
principle of constructive cooperation, based on peace, equality
and justice, among the nations of the world. The UN, on its part,
has reciprocated by lending international support to Kuwait during
the invasion by Iraq. Kuwait has worked for strengthening the
organisation and has pledged more funds to the UN corpus than
its prescribed quota.
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