President Mr. Adnan Mahmoud Abul,

Distinguished members of the Kuwait Bar Association,

Esteemed colleagues in the legal profession,

Ladies and gentlemen,

It is a pleasure to join you today on behalf of the European Union at this important conference about the protection of the legal profession. I thank President Mr. Adnan Mahmoud Abul and the Kuwait Bar Association for the kind invitation and for your continued engagement with my Delegation team. 

Since I came to Kuwait two years ago, I have been proud to see the strengthening of EU-Kuwait cooperation across many areas, including engagement with all sectors of the Kuwaiti society. And I must say that cooperating with Kuwaiti lawyers has always been very rewarding. I admire your professionalism and your commitment to make a better society for everyone. 

As part of this ongoing cooperation, I am delighted to be here at Kuwait Bar Association as part of this important discussion about the Convention on the Protection of the Profession of Lawyer, which was recently adopted on 12 March 2025 by the Council of Europe. To begin, I would like to clarify that the Council of Europe is not part of the European Union institutions. It is an older and different organization with which nevertheless the EU enjoys an excellent collaboration. 

The European Union and the Council of Europe maintain a strong and complementary partnership based on shared values of democracy, human rights, and the rule of law. While the EU is not a member of the Council of Europe, it actively cooperates with the organization through strategic frameworks, joint programmes, and regular political dialogue. This cooperation reinforces the implementation of common standards, particularly in the areas of judicial reform, anti-corruption, and protection of fundamental rights across Europe. The EU supports the Council of Europe’s conventions and monitoring mechanisms, and both institutions work closely to promote stability, democratic governance, and legal coherence throughout Europe.

Even though the European Union as such is not a party to the Convention on the Protection of the Profession of Lawyer – though some EU Member States have already signed it, the EU supports the aims of the convention, which are consistent with our core EU values including rule of law, access to justice, and fair trial rights. The convention reinforces what we, as Europeans, believe is essential for any healthy society: the ability of lawyers to operate independently, the integrity of judicial proceedings, and the rule of law as a non-negotiable foundation for our societies.

Our relationship with Kuwait is strong and forward-looking. And I believe that deepening ties between our legal communities—through professional exchanges, shared expertise, and joint initiatives—will further strengthen the values we both cherish. Kuwait has a long-standing tradition of legal professionalism and a dynamic and active Bar Association. The EU Delegation remains open for cooperation, and facilitate exchanges of knowledge, expertise and experience that could be beneficial for our societies both in Europe and in Kuwait. 

In that spirit, I commend the Kuwait Bar Association for hosting this event, and for your commitment to engaging with us and exchanging experiences with the European Union. Let us continue to build bridges between our legal communities—grounded in mutual respect, dialogue, and a shared belief in the rule of law.

Thank you very much. Shukran jazeelan.