Europe Day 2023 in Kuwait
Gediminas Varanavicius, EU Chargé d’Affaires to Kuwait
Europe Day 2023 Speech
Assalamu ‘Aleikum,
Your Excellency Assistant Foreign Minister for Europe Affairs Ambassador Sadiq Marafi,
Dear Ambassadors,
Distinguished guests and all friends of Europe who are celebrating Europe Day 2023 with us this evening, a warm welcome to you all.
Europe Day is an annual occasion to celebrate peace and unity on the European continent. It marks the anniversary of the Schuman Declaration, which in 1950 set out the idea for integration as a new form of political cooperation, the beginning of what is now the European Union.
Kuwait has long been a close and reliable friend of the EU, and was the first Gulf country to sign a Cooperation Arrangement with the European External Action Service in July 2016, which in itself is a reflection of our close ties.
We view Kuwait as a like-minded partner in a dynamic region, especially when it comes to humanitarian issues and advocating for peace and diplomacy.
It is important to note that this enduring cooperation would not have been possible without the support of the Kuwaiti authorities.
I would like to extend my gratitude to the Kuwaiti leadership, including His Highness the Amir Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, as well as the Kuwaiti government, notably the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, for such excellent cooperation.
EU Delegations are the diplomatic face of the European Union, and close coordination with EU Member States is one of the most important roles we play. I would like to take this opportunity to thank 16 Member-State Ambassadors and Chargés d'Affaires who are here today for their support and for rallying behind the EU flag in line with the Team Europe approach.
I am proud to say that we have achieved a great deal in four years since the opening of the EU Delegation in 2019. This could have never happened without the support of my magnificient staff and their exceptional commitment to the successful work of the EU.
In May last year, the European Union unveiled its “Strategic Partnership with the Gulf”, a roadmap for broadening and deepening cooperation between the EU and the GCC countries including Kuwait.
The Strategic Partnership offers opportunities for expanding ties across several fields including economic affairs, digitization, energy, security, humanitarian issues, human rights, and institutional cooperation.
The document also highlights the need for EU-GCC collaboration on the green energy transition and fighting climate change.
Indeed, climate change is one of the most pressing issues facing our world today. A recent poll shows that over half of Kuwaitis believe more action is necessary to combat climate change.
The EU has led global climate action for years, deploying vast financial and human resources to help countries around the world counter this ongoing emergency. We stand ready to support Kuwait and our Gulf partners to tackle this issue head on.
Another important area of our relationship is facilitating people-to-people ties, with particular emphasis this year on building skills. The EU is celebrating 2023 as the Year of Skills, part of a wider initiative to drive innovation, develop talent, and empower women and youth, especially in the areas of green and digital transition.
As our High Representative for Foreign Affairs Josep Borrell said, “Youth holds the key to a better future.” Youth empowerment is indeed a core priority across our policies in the European Union, including building the skills and capacities of the younger generations.
The success of the Erasmus mobility program is a prime example of this policy priority, one that paves the way for Kuwaiti students who wish to study in the EU.
I am pleased to note, that Europe is also becoming a maritime security actor in the Gulf region. Since 2020, several European countries are running a joint maritime security mission in the Gulf, called the European Maritime Awareness mission in the Strait of Hormuz. Thus contributing to safe navigation of vessels, including those leaving and arriving to Kuwaiti ports. I am confident that with our ambitious new EU Strategy for Gulf, we will enhance our cooperation on maritime security even more.
While we celebrate peace on the European continent, we cannot ignore the ongoing conflict along our Eastern border. Russia’s illegal and unjustified aggression against Ukraine sent shockwaves around the whole world in 2022, and has since resulted in the loss of many lives, while also forcing millions of Ukrainians to flee their homes in search for new lives across Europe.
The war also poses serious risks to the rules-based international order; it has disrupted global trade, causing food prices to soar, resulting in worldwide food insecurity.
It is very encouraging and reassuring, to see Kuwait’s unwavering support for the UN Charter and the rules-based international order. In March 2022, Kuwait co-sponsored an emergency UN General Assembly Resolution denouncing Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. 141 countries, including the 27 EU Member States and Kuwait stood together in support of Ukraine’s independence and territorial integrity.
Overall, the EU and Kuwait stand to gain from a stronger, more strategic partnership – one that builds on an already long-standing relationship. I am confident that we will continue to deepen and diversify our cooperation for many years to come.
Happy Europe Day to you all!