Strasbourg, 14/01/2014 (Agence Europe) - During her first visit to Kuwait, High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton hailed the country's work for the Syrian population. “I pay tribute to Kuwait for its continuing efforts in support of the people of Syria”, she said during a press briefing with Kuwait's Foreign Affairs Minister Sheikh Sabah Khaled al-Sabah. Ashton highlighted the humanitarian aid and also the fact that Kuwait will host the second international donors' conference for Syria on 15 January, “which will be of enormous importance”. The conference is aimed at mobilising the necessary resources to enable the United Nations and their partners to respond to immediate humanitarian needs. “The EU will be here, ready and willing to continue to play the strongest possible role in support of the people of Syria”, said Ashton. The EU, which will be represented by European Commissioner for International Cooperation, Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Response Kristalina Georgieva, will reserve €165 million to help the Syrians and their neighbours (see other article).
Recalling that the Geneva II peace conference on 22 January aims to look at what has been agreed during Geneva I and to move forward with what has been agreed, Ashton also wished “every possible success” to Lakhdar Brahimi. “We will be there to support these efforts”, Ashton added.
During the press briefing, Ashton also returned to relations between the EU and Kuwait, “a very important and enduring partner for the EU” and to the ways to develop their relations. The elections in July 2013 “were further proof in our view of the maturity of the system of Kuwait”, Ashton stated. Ashton and Sabah Khaled al-Sabah also discussed the Gulf Cooperation Council, the Middle East, Iraq and Iran. (CG/transl.fl)