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Kuwait’s Sheikh Meshal tours Turkey in first non-Arab state visit

The visit underscored the importance of diplomatic ties between Turkey and Kuwait and laid the groundwork for enhanced cooperation in various fields

by Marisha Singh

May 10, 2024

Image credit: Presidency of the Republic of Türkiye/X

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan welcomed Kuwaiti Emir Sheikh Meshal al-Ahmad al-Sabah to Ankara on Tuesday, marking the Emir’s first foreign visit to a non-Arab country since assuming office in December 2023.

The visit, which coincided with the 60th anniversary of diplomatic ties between Turkey and Kuwait, aimed at strengthening bilateral relations between the two countries.

Official Welcoming Ceremony for Emir of Kuwait Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al Sabah https://t.co/nvhvySggUA

— Presidency of the Republic of Türkiye (@trpresidency) May 7, 2024

Kuwait-Turkey bilateral trade

Turkey and Kuwait signed six cooperation deals across various fields, including defense and diplomacy, to enhance collaboration between the two nations.

Among the agreements is a protocol on defence procurement aimed at bolstering defence ties between Turkey and Kuwait.

The leaders oversaw the signing of a memorandum of understanding to establish a strategic dialogue between the two countries, reflecting their commitment to deeper diplomatic engagement.

Both nations expressed their intent to increase trade volume to $1bn, with Turkish exports to Kuwait exceeding $583m last year.

Additionally, Kuwait signed a $367m agreement with Baykar, a Turkish drone manufacturer, to purchase TB2 armed drones in 2023.

Direct Kuwaiti investments in Turkey reached $1.5bn in 2024, highlighting the growing economic partnership between the two countries.

The visit underscored the importance of diplomatic ties between Turkey and Kuwait and laid the groundwork for enhanced cooperation in various fields.

The signing of the cooperation deals reflects the commitment of both countries to strengthen their ties across multiple sectors, including defense, trade, and diplomacy.

The visit symbolised a milestone in the longstanding relationship between Turkey and Kuwait, paving the way for deeper collaboration in the years to come.

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