Kuwaiti Prime Minister promises to return

The Prime Minister of Kuwait, who was in Malta to attend the funeral of President Emeritus Guido de Marco, has promised to return to the country “in happier times”.

Sheikh Nasser Mohammed Al-Ahmed Al-Jaber Al-Sabah greeted Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi last April when he visited Kuwait.

In a brief meeting at the Prime Minister’s Office at the Auberge de Castille, Dr Gonzi and Sheikh Al-Sabah discussed the “excellent” relations between the two countries. Dr Gonzi added that they should seek to extend their cooperation in other areas. Earlier, Sheikh Al-Sabah called on President George Abela and also held a private meeting with the de Marco family.

He arrived on Sunday with a 25-man delegation including ministers and advisers and also met Foreign Minister Tonio Borg. He left after the state funeral.

Kuwait has a deep respect for Prof. de Marco in view of his support for the country in 1990 when it was invaded by Iraq. Prof. de Marco was President of the UN General Assembly at the time.

Fulfilling his objective of “a presidency with a purpose”, Prof. de Marco had departed from protocol when he stood up to applaud the Emir, who had just addressed the assembly, prompting a standing ovation from the floor.

In those circumstances, he even made the exception of descending and escorting the head of state to the exit.

Prof. de Marco later visited the liberated state on an invitation extended to him to express the nation’s gratitude and had since continued to enjoy its admiration.