(MENAFN- Kuwait News Agency (KUNA)) Mechanisms of enhancing bilateral ties and partnership in all fields, especially economy and trade, were the focus of talks held here on Sunday between First Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah and his visiting Turkish counterpart Mevlut Cavusoglu.
The remark was made by Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled during a press conference with Cavusoglu.
Earlier today, the two ministers met with His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, who both offered their "wise views on bolstering historical bilateral ties," Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled told the conference.
Since diplomatic ties were established between Kuwait and Turkey more than half a century before, officials in both countries exchanged visits which contributed a lot to developing bilateral ties, he said.
The Kuwaiti Foreign Minister referred to Cavusoglu's visit to Kuwait, his first since he took office, as "valuable" and would add to the "well-established distinguished relations, as well as enhancing opportunities of more cooperation in all fields." Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled said Turkey is an important trade partner for Kuwait, saying bilateral trade exceeded USD 600 million in 2013, a rise of 150 percent compared to 2010.
He said investments by the Kuwaiti private sector in Turkey, covering in all sectors, hit USD 2.5 billion. In addition, Turkey is a chief tourist destination for Kuwaitis. Both countries are joined by 38 weekly flights.
The Kuwaiti Foreign Minister underlined the persistent efforts to encourage more investments in feasible fields to achieve mutual interests.
The two ministers addressed mechanisms of activating health, military, tourist and transport cooperation.
"We had elaborate talks on various issues of common concern, the developments of pivotal topics on the regional and international scenes," Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled said. He pointed to the major events and developments on both levels, which prompt more coordination and communication.
First Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah on Sunday gave emphasis to Turkey's role in regional issues, combating terrorism and support to efforts to establish a Palestinian state.
Responding to questions by reporters during a joint press conference with visiting Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu, Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled said the Gulf states count a lot on Turkey in terms of all these issues.
He confirmed Kuwait's keenness on consolidating ties with Turkey, saying the potential and capabilities available in both could be better invested for mutual benefit.
"We are looking forward to the Fifth Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)-Turkey Strategic Dialogue due in Doha to carry on with the work plan we embarked on in the four previous ones," Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled said.
On the Arab and Islamic level, the Kuwaiti Foreign Minister referred to the cooperation between Ankara and the Arab League saying there are issues both count on for boosting ties.
He stressed Turkey's role on the Islamic scene, especially amid an anti-Islam campaign.
Asked about a forthcoming visit by France's Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius to Kuwait, and if talks could address the issue of offensive cartoons by the French Charlie Hebdo magazine, Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled stressed that disdain of religions "is utterly rejected." He noted that they would seize the opportunity of the visit "to address all these issues with the French Foreign Minister." On the third International Humanitarian Pledging Conference for Syria Kuwait will host, Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled said His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah had received a message from UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on the issue.
The massage dealt with the deteriorating human conditions of Syrians, both at home and in neighboring countries.
His Highness the Amir welcomed the proposal saying Kuwait is ready to host the third donors' conference, the Minister said. The Foreign Ministry will discuss the details with the UN.
Over the past two years, Kuwait hosted the First and Second International Humanitarian Pledging Conferences for Syria.
As much as Kuwait supports the humanitarian course, the country is keen on seeking a political settlement for the crisis, amid the wide scale destruction in the country, he said.
On commitments by donors in the second conference, he said a follow-up team formed after the event, comprising 15 countries, would meet by the end of the month to assess the situation.
Visiting Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu on Sunday commended bilateral ties and stressed the role by the State of Kuwait for maintaining security and stability in the region as well as the efforts by the country's diplomats in settling regional rows.
Cavusoglu, who is leading a delegation for the visit, highlighted Kuwait's humanitarian efforts, extending aid to afflicted people and countries worldwide.
Addressing a joint press conference with First Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, he also lauded the UN honoring of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah as a "Humanitarian Leader" and Kuwait as a "Humanitarian Center." Cavusoglu hoped for promoting bilateral economic ties to the level of political relations. He said bilateral trade exceeded USD 600 million in 2013.
The Turkish Foreign Minister said there is potential for enhancing Kuwaiti investments in Turkey, citing opportunities in fields of power, agriculture and health. In return, Ankara encourages more Turkish investments in Kuwait.
On the regional political developments, Cavusoglu referred to various elements that poses a threat to security and stability, with the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) on top. He stressed the dire need for further cooperation among countries of the region to fight the insurgent group, saying he found full understating by the Kuwaiti officials he met regarding the issue.
Cavusoglu said he had also discussed means of boosting tourist cooperation saying that up to 130,000 Kuwaitis visited Turkey last year.
He also pointed to partnership between both sides in regional and international organizations, including the Fifth Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)-Turkey Strategic Dialogue due in Doha.
The Minister hoped the Doha dialogue would see more cooperation, particularly for countering terrorism.
On the attack that targeted the French magazine of Charlie Hebdo, Cavusoglu said Ankara had condemned the terrorist act, and stressed Turkey rejects all forms of terrorism, which not confined to a certain faith or nation.
He underlined the bad need for setting a global unified definition of terrorism.
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