Swiss Assistant Foreign Minister for Middle East and North Africa Affairs, Monica Schmutz, praised the State of Kuwait, describing it as “a beacon of progress and stability in the region.” This came during a speech delivered by Schmutz at the reception held by the Embassy of the State of Kuwait to the Swiss Confederation on the occasion of the celebrations of the 64th anniversary of Independence and the 34th anniversary of Liberation Day.Schmutz, who was the guest of honor at the ceremony in the presence of the Ambassador of the State of Kuwait to the Swiss Confederation, Ziad Al-Mashaan, added, “The vibrant culture of the State of Kuwait, its dynamic society, and its firm commitment to peace and development inspire not only its people, but also friends and partners around the world.” Schmutz expressed her pride in Kuwait’s participation in its national celebrations, noting the distinguished bilateral relations between the two countries.She said that many Kuwaiti families consider Switzerland a major destination for them, as the latter attracts thousands of Kuwaiti tourists annually, especially in French-speaking cities. Schmutz stressed the importance of economic cooperation between the two countries, noting the “Swiss-Kuwaiti Business Platform” that was established in 2023 to enhance commercial partnerships in addition to joint cooperation in the humanitarian field, especially within the framework of the Global Alliance for Missing Persons in cooperation with the International Committee of the Red Cross.For his part, Ambassador Al-Mishaan expressed in his speech his pride in the historical relations between Kuwait and Switzerland, which celebrates its sixtieth anniversary next year, stressing the identical approaches of the two countries towards strengthening preventive diplomacy, supporting mediation and peaceful solutions to resolve disputes and conflicts, and providing immediate humanitarian aid to those affected and afflicted by them.Ambassador Al-Mishaan also stressed the strength of the economic partnership between the two countries, culminating in the Kuwaiti sovereign fund’s investments in Switzerland exceeding $15 billion, which reflects the high Kuwaiti confidence in the investment environment provided by the Swiss Confederation through a legal system and distinguished economic facilities for foreign investors, thanks to which Switzerland ranked first in the relevant global indicators.In his speech, Ambassador Al-Mishaan highlighted the important and tangible role played by Kuwaiti women in various social, economic and political fields, as well as their main role in implementing the Kuwaiti development plan, indicating that national priorities emphasized the importance of enhancing their participation and representation and their access to decision-making positions.In this regard, Ambassador Al-Mishaan affirmed the keenness of the State of Kuwait and its commitment to implementing Security Council Resolution No. 1325 on women, peace and security, through the establishment of the National Committee to implement that important UN resolution in December 2023, headed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the participation of other relevant parties. These efforts represent a proactive approach for Kuwait in its tireless pursuit of achieving the sustainable integration of women in peace-building processes.Ambassador Al-Mishaan expressed his aspiration to hold political consultations between the State of Kuwait and the Swiss Confederation in the capital, Bern, during the coming period in order to strengthen bilateral relations in all fields. The celebration witnessed a large participation of an elite group of officials, diplomats and prominent figures, including Director General of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, Patricia Danzi.