Federica Mogherini, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice-President of the European Commission, visited Kuwait today and was received by His Highness the Emir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al–Jaber Al-Sabah. Following an audience at Al-Bayan Palace with His Highness the Emir, Mogherini met with the First deputy Premier, Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Sabah Al-Khalid Al Sabah in the presence of the Emir's emissary Sheikh Mohammad A. Al Mubarak Al Sabah.

The High Representative paid tribute to the relentless mediation efforts undertaken by Kuwait with the personal involvement of His Highness the Emir to find a solution to the current political crisis in the Gulf and reiterated the EU's continued support to Kuwait in this endeavour.

The High Representative underlined that the current situation should be resolved through dialogue and without delay. She called on all the parties to enter into negotiations to agree clear principles and a roadmap for a swift resolution of the crisis. The longer this crisis lasts, the more damaging it will be not only for the GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) but also for the stability of our common neighbourhood. The EU would be ready to support the process of negotiation and assist in the implementation of a plan for the resolution of the crisis, in particular in the area of counter terrorism.

During the meetings with the First deputy Premier, Mogherini also exchanged views on the region, in particular Syria and Iraq, and discussed how to foster the EU's bilateral relations with Kuwait through the implementation of the Cooperation Arrangement between the European External Action Service and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kuwait. They discussed ideas in particular on how to support Kuwait's Vision 2035 through focussed work on economic cooperation and energy as well as on enhancing cooperation and coordination in EU and Kuwait development and humanitarian aid.