Belgium and Kuwait to celebrate 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations next year
The Belgian Ambassador, H.E. Christian Domes, hosted a reception at his residence on November 20th to commemorate his country’s King’s Birthday celebrations. The Assistant Foreign Minister for European Affairs, Ambassador Sadiq Marafi, was the chief guest and joined Ambassador Domes in cutting the celebratory cake to mark the occasion.
In his address, Ambassador Domes highlighted the longstanding tradition of celebrating King’s Day in Belgium, which has been observed annually on November 15th since 1866. Initially, it was a celebration of the king’s birthday and later became the day of Saint Leopold.
Ambassador Domes emphasized the excellent relations between Belgium and Kuwait since Kuwait’s independence. He mentioned that Belgium actively participated in the international coalition that liberated Kuwait from its invaders. The two countries also have a strong trading partnership, with a trade value of Euro 371 million in 2022. Furthermore, Ambassador Domes revealed that next year, Belgium and Kuwait will celebrate the 60th anniversary of their diplomatic relations. This milestone presents numerous opportunities to showcase their close cooperation and elevate it to a higher level.
Belgium and Kuwait both hold seats at the Human Rights Council, which opens up avenues for closer collaboration. Additionally, both countries are actively engaged in the anti-Daesh coalition. Belgium will also assume the Presidency of the Council of the European Union in the first half of 2024. The Belgian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hadja Lahbib, has already expressed that the Peace Process in the Middle East will be a priority during Belgium’s Presidency.
On World Children’s Day, the Belgian ambassador expressed concern for the children of Gaza and called for respecting the UN Charter and peaceful conflict resolution. He stated, “It is in this challenging international context that we commemorate World Children’s Day today. Belgium is committed to the protection and promotion of children’s rights. Our thoughts are with all the children living in difficult humanitarian situations, particularly the children of Gaza, who bear the brunt of the war.”
The guests at the reception were treated to some traditional Belgian favorites, including fries and chocolates.
Commentary:
The Belgian Ambassador, H.E. Christian Domes, recently hosted a reception to celebrate his country’s King’s Birthday. The event was attended by Ambassador Sadiq Marafi, the Assistant Foreign Minister for European Affairs, who joined Ambassador Domes in cutting the celebratory cake. This occasion provided an opportunity for Ambassador Domes to highlight the long-standing tradition of celebrating King’s Day in Belgium, which has been observed annually on November 15th since 1866. Initially, it was a celebration of the king’s birthday and later became the day of Saint Leopold.
Ambassador Domes emphasized the excellent relations between Belgium and Kuwait, which have been nurtured since Kuwait’s independence. He mentioned that Belgium played an active role in the international coalition that liberated Kuwait from its invaders. The two countries also have a strong trading partnership, with a trade value of Euro 371 million in 2022. Looking ahead, Ambassador Domes revealed that next year, Belgium and Kuwait will celebrate the 60th anniversary of their diplomatic relations. This significant milestone will provide ample opportunities to showcase their close cooperation and take it to new heights.
Belgium and Kuwait both hold seats at the Human Rights Council, which opens up avenues for closer collaboration. Additionally, both countries are actively engaged in the anti-Daesh coalition, demonstrating their commitment to international security. Belgium will also assume the Presidency of the Council of the European Union in the first half of 2024, with a focus on prioritizing the Peace Process in the Middle East. This highlights Belgium’s dedication to fostering peace and stability in the region.
On World Children’s Day, the Belgian ambassador expressed concern for the children of Gaza and called for respecting the UN Charter and peaceful conflict resolution. He emphasized Belgium’s commitment to protecting and promoting children’s rights, particularly for those living in challenging humanitarian situations, such as the children of Gaza who are disproportionately affected by the ongoing conflict.
The reception also showcased some traditional Belgian favorites, including fries and chocolates, offering guests a taste of Belgian culture and hospitality.
Overall, the celebration of Belgium’s King’s Birthday provided an opportunity to reinforce the strong diplomatic relations between Belgium and Kuwait. The upcoming 60th anniversary of their diplomatic relations promises to be a significant milestone, allowing both countries to further strengthen their cooperation and collaboration in various areas, including trade, human rights, and international security.
Source: Belgium and Kuwait to celebrate 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations next year
