Relying on a prudent and foreseeing vision, a profound understanding of the reality and a moderate political approach that seeks to enhance the Saudi-Kuwaiti relations, and guided by the directives of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Emir of Kuwait Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmed Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, the Saudi-Kuwaiti Coordination Council will hold its first meeting tomorrow to reflect the relations between the two countries and discuss ways to bolster them in all fields to fulfill the shared ambitions of security, prosperity, and wellbeing. Established in July 2018, the Council seeks to develop a joint vision that strengthens and sustains the Saudi-Kuwait relations, enhance inter-state economic integration, create optimal utilization of existing resources and lay down the foundations of a concise and effective education system in line with the wider, strategic objectives of the Gulf Cooperation Council. It also aims at enhancing cooperation and partnerships in the political, security, and military fields and highlighting the two countries' economic standing, human resources development and political, security and military integration in various areas. The two countries' founders had laid down the foundations of the Saudi-Kuwaiti political approach and the deep-rooted relations since the visit of Imam Abdulrahman Al-Faisal Al Saud and his son the late King Abdulaziz Al Saud to Kuwait in 1891. The strong and distinguished ties between Imam Abdulrahman Al-Faisal and Sheikh Mubarak Sabah Al-Sabah have had their immeasurable contributions to enhance the Saudi-Kuwaiti relations, especially following the unification of Saudi Arabia by the late King Abdulaziz Al Saud, who followed the approach of his father and continued strengthening the distinguished relations between the two countries in all political, economic and cultural fields. This approach was also followed by late Kings Saud, Khalid, Faisal, Fahd and Abdullah until the era of King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud who has been exerting relentless efforts in enhancing the Saudi-Kuwaiti relations hand in hand with the Emir of Kuwait Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmed Al-Jaber Al-Sabah. The two countries seek to boost trade exchange levels, with official figures indicating that it amounted to about SAR8.39 billion in 2019. The Saudi exports to Kuwait amounted to about SAR7.83 billion, while imports accounted for around SAR1.56 billion. As for the Saudi-Kuwaiti cooperation during the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a constant and direct coordination among the two countries' health ministers. Saudi Arabia has been keen on ensuring the stability of the Kuwaiti market and has thus taken all measures to ensure Saudi products reaching Kuwait by land, sea, and air, which has been welcomed and highly appreciated by the Kuwaiti government. Kuwait is also actively working with Saudi Arabia to achieve goals set by HRH Crown Prince's Green Middle East Initiative.
