By Abdullah Bougus, KUNA,
Kuala Lumpur : Kuwait is taking part in the 3rd Asia-Middle East Dialogue (AMEDIII) hosted in Bangkok, under the theme of “Strengthening Cooperation towards Common Prosperity.” The Kuwaiti delegation includes representation for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Finance, and the Kuwaiti Embassy in Thailand.
Ambassador in Thailand Abdullatif Ali Al-Mawwash noted that the importance of the event is that it builds networks of relationships that would support closer cooperation and coordination. This is particularly valuable since the Gulf states have investments seeking opportunities while the Asians have a wealth in raw material and resources to be invested in.
The official hailed the level of cooperation and coordination between Kuwait and Thailand in issues of bilateral relations, regional issues, and global concerns. Progress of relations is also satisfactory.
The dialogue sessions starting December 15 and lasting till December 16 have an ultimate objective of exchanging views and of deepening understanding among the leaders of Asian nations and the states of the Middle East, along with promoting values of tolerance, moderation, diversity, and co-existence among the peoples of the two regions.
The Kuwaiti delegation includes the embassy’s Third Secretary Ahmad Al-Beijan, Foreign Ministry Asia Department Director Ambassador Mohammad Ahmad Al-Mejrin Al-Roomi, the Economic Department Director Ambassador Sheikh Ali Al-Khalid Al-Sabah, and officials from Ministry of Finance departments.
The AMED consists of members from 50 participant countries in Asia and the Middle East, and the ministerial meeting is held biennially in venues alternating between Asia and the Middle East. Its inaugural session was in Singapore in 2005, while AMED II was in Egypt in 2008.
Voluntary, informal, and flexible, its participants include not only government officials but also the private sector, academics, and non-governmental organizations.
Outcome documents of AMED are in the form of non-binding policy recommendations to be submitted to participating governments for their consideration.