The Egyptian-Kuwaiti relations are distinguished by profound uniqueness and deep-rooted bonds spanning decades, thanks to the fruitful cooperation and unwavering solidarity between the two nations through pivotal historical moments. This has demonstrated their steadfast commitment to safeguarding shared interests and their dedication to close coordination on regional and international issues.

These fraternal and historic relations have set a model for Arab-Arab relations. Egypt was among the first countries to recognize Kuwait’s independence in 1961 and stood firmly by its side during the Iraqi invasion in 1990. Just as Egypt has honorable stances in this regard, Kuwait has been—and remains—one of the foremost nations to support Egypt in all critical times, particularly during the Tripartite Aggression in 1956, the wars of 1967 and October 1973, as well as the challenges Egypt faced in recent years, both domestically and internationally.

A New Historic Chapter in Bilateral Relations

These ties entered a new and historic phase when His Highness Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, the Amir of Kuwait, made an official state visit to Egypt in April 2024, responding to a gracious invitation from Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi. This marked His Highness’s first official visit to Egypt since assuming leadership.

During the visit, the Egyptian President bestowed upon His Highness the "Order of the Nile", Egypt’s highest and most prestigious honor awarded to kings, princes, and presidents. This gesture deepened and embodied the strong relations between the two nations, honoring the distinguished status of His Highness and reinforcing the bonds of friendship and mutual affection.

Strengthening Cooperation: The 13th Joint Committee Session

On September 12, 2024, the 13th session of the Egyptian-Kuwaiti Joint Committee was held in Cairo, conducting a comprehensive review of bilateral relations across all fields and setting a future vision for their development.

The session witnessed the signing of ten memoranda of understanding (MoUs) and executive programs in various sectors, including:

• Competition protection

• Industrial export development

• Environmental protection

• Tourism

• Youth and sports

• Housing and urban development

• Media

• Scientific and technical cooperation in planning

A Relationship Forged in History

Osama Ajaj, a journalist specializing in Arab affairs, told KUNA that Kuwaiti-Egyptian relations are "exceptional and of utmost importance." He noted that "from the very moment of Kuwait’s independence declaration, it faced existential challenges, and Egypt played a pivotal role in supporting its sovereignty."

He highlighted the historic role of late Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser, who not only recognized Kuwait’s independence but also facilitated its admission into the Arab League and the United Nations.

Ajaj also pointed out key milestones, such as:

• Kuwait’s swift support for Egypt during the 1967 war, including the formation of the "Yarmouk Brigade", in which around 40 Kuwaiti soldiers and officers were martyred.

• Egypt’s decisive stance during Iraq’s 1990 invasion of Kuwait, joining the international coalition (Desert Storm) and playing a crucial role in liberating Kuwait.

Economic and Developmental Cooperation

The economic and trade partnership between the two nations is robust:

• Kuwait ranks as the 3rd largest Arab investor in Egypt, with investments exceeding $20 billion.

• Over 25% of the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development’s projects are in Egypt, spanning infrastructure, power plants, and land reclamation.

Cultural and Media Ties

Political analyst Ashraf Abdel Aziz emphasized that Kuwaiti-Egyptian relations are deeply rooted even before Kuwait’s independence, with strong cultural and artistic cooperation. He cited the iconic "Al-Arabi" magazine, launched in Kuwait, as a beacon of Arab cultural and media collaboration.

He noted that Egypt was among the first to support Kuwait’s independence, and since then, relations have flourished across political, economic, military, security, artistic, literary, and media fields.

A Future of Stronger Partnership

Abdel Aziz praised Kuwait’s wise and balanced foreign policy, which has consistently addressed regional issues with prudence. He highlighted that Sheikh Meshal’s 2024 visit marked a turning point, paving the way for enhanced cooperation through new agreements and high-level exchanges.

This historic visit has opened doors for more joint ventures and mutual visits, further solidifying the unbreakable bond between the two brotherly nations.