Kuwait, Poland enjoy excellent political relations -- Al-Kharafi

By Eman Al-Awadhi KUWAIT, Nov 20 (KUNA) -- Kuwait and Poland enjoy excellent ties at the political level and "we hope that the Polish Days in Kuwait will strengthen trade and economic relations," National Assembly Speaker Jassem Al-Kharafi said.

Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the inaugural ceremony of the Polish Days in Kuwait, late on Sunday, Al-Kharafi said, "I am very happy to be here tonight with the Polish Senate Speaker and the delegations that have come to participate in this event." The Polish Days in Kuwait, coinciding with Poland's Independence Day, grouped over 130 people as part of political, parliamentary, commercial, cultural, and press delegations.

"We hope such an event will serve to strengthen relations and cooperation between the two countries and raise trade exchange between them," he said.

Trade exchange between Kuwait and Poland stood at USD 20 million in 2005.

At the parliamentary level, Al-Kharafi hoped for greater coordination through parliamentary committees and for Poland to have a greater presence in the Middle East.

For his part, Polish Senate Speaker Bogdan Borusewicz said, "The level of political relations between Kuwait and Poland are excellent, but we cannot say the same for economic relations ... We hope that Kuwait will become a gateway for Poland to the Middle East." He said he had extended an invitation to His Highness the Amir of Kuwait on behalf of the Polish President to visit Poland and that the invitation was accepted but no date had yet been set.

"We hope to hold Kuwaiti Days in Poland in late March," he said.

The Polish Speaker said his country had decided to diversify its sources of energy and to become less dependent on oil and natural gas supplies from Russia and Central Asia, and was thus "looking with interest" to the Arabian Gulf.

Asked to comment on the political life in Kuwait, he said, "Kuwait is one of the most democratic Arab states and its political life brings together traditions and modernity." He said his country felt "close" to Kuwait because of the suffering that both countries had endured under occupation and war.

The Polish Days will continue to November 24 and aims to introduce the Kuwaiti public to Poland from the political, economic, and cultural perspectives.

Some 130 people have come from Poland to take part in the event, which includes investment and tourism forums, a cultural and science program, as well as additional events such as an arts exhibition, a movie screening, and a music recital.
Source:kuna.net.kw