Saudi-Kuwaiti Coordination Council Holds First Meeting on Sunday

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman meeting his Kuwaiti counterpart, Sheikh Mishaal Al-Ahmad, in Riyadh last Tuesday (SPA)
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman meeting his Kuwaiti counterpart, Sheikh Mishaal Al-Ahmad, in Riyadh last Tuesday (SPA)
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Saudi-Kuwaiti Coordination Council Holds First Meeting on Sunday

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman meeting his Kuwaiti counterpart, Sheikh Mishaal Al-Ahmad, in Riyadh last Tuesday (SPA)
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman meeting his Kuwaiti counterpart, Sheikh Mishaal Al-Ahmad, in Riyadh last Tuesday (SPA)

The Saudi-Kuwaiti Coordination Council will hold its first meeting on Sunday to reflect the strength of relations between the two states and bring them closer to improved integration that fulfills shared ambitions on security, prosperity, and happiness.

Saudi Arabia’s King Salman bin Abdulaziz, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, and Kuwait’s Emir Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah had jointly issued directives for launching the Council’s first session.

Established in July 2018, the Council aims to develop a joint vision that deepens and sustains relations between the two countries.

It operates in line with the objectives of the Gulf Cooperation Council and works to enhance inter-state economic integration, find innovative solutions for optimal utilization of existing resources, and build an effective educational system.

This relies on shared strengths, enhancing cooperation in political, security, and military fields, ensuring good collaboration and partnership, and highlighting the two countries’ economic standing, human development, political and security-military integration in various areas.

Each of Saudi Arabia and Kuwait aspires to boost trade exchange levels, especially as official statistics show that it amounted to about SAR 8.39 billion in 2019.

That year, Saudi exports to Kuwait amounted to about SAR 7.83 billion, while imports accounted for around SAR1. 56 billion.

As for cooperation during the coronavirus pandemic, there was consistent, direct, and continuous coordination among the two states’ health ministers.

The Kingdom showed keen interest in stabilizing Kuwaiti markets and supporting them through guaranteeing Saudi products reaching Kuwaiti markets by land, sea, and air. This was welcomed and appreciated by the Kuwaiti government.

It is worth noting that Kuwait is also actively working with Saudi Arabia to achieve goals set by the Saudi Crown Prince’s “Green Middle East” initiative.



Bahrain, France Sign Defense Cooperation Agreement

Sheikh Nasser bin Hamad Isa Al Khalifa, Bahrain's King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, France's President Emmanuel Macron and Junior Minister at the Ministry of Defense, Alice Rufo, pose after signing a bilateral agreement at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, February 6, 2026. (Thibault Camus/Pool via Reuter)
Sheikh Nasser bin Hamad Isa Al Khalifa, Bahrain's King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, France's President Emmanuel Macron and Junior Minister at the Ministry of Defense, Alice Rufo, pose after signing a bilateral agreement at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, February 6, 2026. (Thibault Camus/Pool via Reuter)
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Bahrain, France Sign Defense Cooperation Agreement

Sheikh Nasser bin Hamad Isa Al Khalifa, Bahrain's King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, France's President Emmanuel Macron and Junior Minister at the Ministry of Defense, Alice Rufo, pose after signing a bilateral agreement at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, February 6, 2026. (Thibault Camus/Pool via Reuter)
Sheikh Nasser bin Hamad Isa Al Khalifa, Bahrain's King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, France's President Emmanuel Macron and Junior Minister at the Ministry of Defense, Alice Rufo, pose after signing a bilateral agreement at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, February 6, 2026. (Thibault Camus/Pool via Reuter)

Bahrain and France signed on Friday a joint defense cooperation agreement during talks between King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa met with President Emmanuel Macron in Paris.

The French presidency said the agreement consolidates cooperation in the field of defense, training and exchange of strategic information.

“This agreement will ⁠also open ‌up ‍new ‍opportunities for industrial ‍cooperation in defense, and strengthen solidarity between our two countries in a ⁠global and regional geopolitical context marked by increasing tensions,” it added.

The agreement was signed by Bahrain’s National Security Adviser and Secretary General of the Supreme Defense Council Sheikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa and France’s Minister Delegate to the Minister of the Armed Forces and Veterans Alice Rufo.

Macron highlighted the depth of the historical relations between Bahrain and France, as well as the progress achieved across various domains in support of common interests, reported Bahrain’s state news agency (BNA).

For his part, King Hamad commended the French president’s keenness to strengthen relations between the two countries.

The talks also addressed means to bolster bilateral relations across all sectors to achieve shared interests.

Both sides commended the efforts of the Joint Bahraini-French High Committee. They highlighted the positive outcomes achieved in advancing cooperation and underlined the importance of continuing the committee’s work to expand cooperation across various domains.

The talks addressed regional and international developments, and efforts aimed at resolving conflicts through dialogue and diplomatic solutions and reducing tensions.


Saudi Arabia, Slovenia Sign General Cooperation Agreement

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah and his Slovenian counterpart Tanja Fajon meet in Ljubljana on Friday. (Saudi Foreign Ministry)
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah and his Slovenian counterpart Tanja Fajon meet in Ljubljana on Friday. (Saudi Foreign Ministry)
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Saudi Arabia, Slovenia Sign General Cooperation Agreement

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah and his Slovenian counterpart Tanja Fajon meet in Ljubljana on Friday. (Saudi Foreign Ministry)
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah and his Slovenian counterpart Tanja Fajon meet in Ljubljana on Friday. (Saudi Foreign Ministry)

Saudi Arabia and Slovenia signed on Friday a General Cooperation Agreement aimed at boosting cooperation across various fields.

The agreement was signed between Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah and his Slovenian counterpart Tanja Fajon in Ljubljana.

The agreement also aims at intensifying joint efforts to fulfill the aspirations of the leadership and peoples of both countries toward further progress and prosperity, said a Saudi Foreign Ministry statement.

Prince Faisal and Fajon held a meeting to discuss bilateral relations and means to develop them in various fields.


Saudi Arabia Condemns Terrorist Attack on Islamabad Mosque

File photo of the Saudi flag/AAWSAT
File photo of the Saudi flag/AAWSAT
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Saudi Arabia Condemns Terrorist Attack on Islamabad Mosque

File photo of the Saudi flag/AAWSAT
File photo of the Saudi flag/AAWSAT

The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed the Kingdom’s strong condemnation of the terrorist bombing that targeted a mosque on Friday in Pakistan’s capital, Islamabad, resulting in multiple deaths and injuries.

The ministry reaffirmed the Kingdom’s firm rejection of attacks on places of worship, the intimidation of innocent civilians, and the shedding of innocent blood, stressing Saudi Arabia’s solidarity with Pakistan against all forms of violence, extremism, and terrorism.

It also extended condolences and sympathy to the families of the victims, as well as to the government and people of Pakistan, wishing the injured a speedy recovery.

A suicide blast at a mosque in Pakistan's capital Islamabad killed at least 31 people and wounded scores more during Friday prayers.