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Foreign relations of Kuwait

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Foreign relations of Kuwait

Since its independence in 1961, Kuwait has maintained strong international relations with most countries, especially nations within the Arab world. Its vast oil reserves give it a prominent voice at the global economic forums and organizations like the OPEC. Kuwait is also a major ally of ASEAN, a regional ally of China, and a major non-NATO ally.[1][2][3]

International disputes

In November 1994, Iraq formally accepted the UN-demarcated border with Kuwait which had been spelled out in Security Council Resolutions 687 (1991), 773 (1992), and 883 (1993); this formally ends earlier claims to Kuwait and to Bubiyan and Warbah Island islands; ownership of Qaruh and Umm al Maradim islands are disputed by Saudi Arabia. Kuwait and Saudi Arabia continue to negatotiate a joint maritime boundary with Iran; no maritime boundary exists with Iraq in the Persian Gulf.

Diplomatic relations

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List of countries which Kuwait maintains diplomatic relations with:

More information #, Country ...
Thumb
# Country Date
1  Chile 13 September 1961[4]
2  United States 22 September 1961[5]
3  Lebanon 27 September 1961[6]
4  Saudi Arabia 5 October 1961[7]
5  United Kingdom 8 October 1961[8]
6  Egypt 2 December 1961[9]
7  Jordan 2 December 1961[9]
8  Japan 8 December 1961[10]
9  Iran 17 December 1961[11]
10  Libya 24 December 1961[12]
11  India 26 March 1962[13]
12  Tunisia 24 June 1962[14]
13  Sudan 6 January 1963[15]
14  Russia 11 March 1963[16]
15  Serbia 7 May 1963[17]
16  Poland 17 May 1963[18]
17  Czech Republic 27 May 1963[19]
18  Romania 10 June 1963[20]
19  Thailand 14 June 1963[21]
20  Bulgaria 15 June 1963[22]
21  Mali 3 July 1963[23]
22  Pakistan 21 July 1963[24]
23  Morocco 23 October 1963[25]
24  Syria 24 October 1963[26]
25  Trinidad and Tobago October 1963[27]
26  Iraq 10 January 1964[28]
27  Turkey 10 January 1964[29]
28  Afghanistan 4 March 1964[30]
29  Guinea 12 March 1964[31]
30  Belgium 8 April 1964[32]
31  Spain 17 April 1964[33]
32  Denmark 25 April 1964[34]
33  Hungary 7 May 1964[35]
34  France 17 May 1964[36]
35  Germany 20 May 1964[37]
36  Somalia 29 July 1964[38]
37  Italy 8 November 1964[39]
38  Algeria 23 November 1964[40]
39  Sweden 22 December 1964[41]
40  Colombia 26 December 1964[42]
41  Netherlands 1964[43]
42  Greece 3 January 1965[44]
43  Malaysia 28 March 1965[45]
44  Canada 27 April 1965[46]
45  Austria 6 June 1965[47]
46  Norway 30 June 1965[48]
47  Venezuela 13 September 1965[49]
48   Switzerland 21 September 1966[50]
49  Ethiopia 9 October 1966[51]
50  Niger 22 November 1966[52]
51  Brazil 20 January 1968[53]
52  Indonesia 28 February 1968[54]
53  Kenya 23 April 1968[55]
54  Albania 8 August 1968[56]
55  Argentina 13 September 1968[57]
—  Holy See 21 October 1968[58]
56  Finland 21 February 1969[59]
57  Senegal 16 August 1969[60]
58  Nigeria 31 January 1970[61]
59  Mauritania 17 March 1970[62]
60  Yemen 19 March 1970[63]
61  Chad 31 March 1970[64]
62  Sri Lanka 19 February 1971[65]
63  China 22 March 1971[66]
64  Bahrain 19 August 1971[67]
65  Qatar 15 December 1971[68]
66  Liberia 1971[69]
67  Oman 1 January 1972[70]
68    Nepal 25 February 1972[71]
69  United Arab Emirates 8 March 1972[72]
70  Uganda 28 June 1972[73]
71  Malta 3 October 1972[74]
72  Tanzania 19 January 1973[75]
73  Lesotho 30 April 1973[76]
74  Madagascar 6 December 1973[77]
75  Bangladesh 9 March 1974[78]
76  Cuba 29 April 1974[79]
77  Australia 1 July 1974[80]
78  Gambia 29 August 1974[81]
79  Ireland 5 October 1974[82]
80  Guinea-Bissau 6 November 1974[83]
81  Jamaica 14 November 1974[84]
82  Ghana 1974[85]
83  Cameroon 22 February 1975[86]
84  Portugal 1 April 1975[87]
85  Mongolia 17 June 1975[88]
86  Mexico 23 July 1975[89]
87  Ecuador 30 July 1975[90]
88  Burkina Faso 17 August 1975[91]
89  Gabon 27 October 1975[92]
90  Peru 1 December 1975[93]
91  Zambia 12 November 1975[94]
92  Papua New Guinea 1975[95]
93  Vietnam 10 January 1976[96]
94  Mauritius 11 January 1976[97]
95  Panama 23 March 1976[98]
96  Comoros 3 May 1976[99]
97  Dominican Republic 18 October 1977[100]
98  Maldives 1 December 1977[101]
99  Philippines 18 January 1979[100]
100  South Korea 11 June 1979[102]
101  São Tomé and Príncipe 9 January 1980[100]
102  Luxembourg 8 March 1980[103]
103  Sierra Leone 1980[104]
104  Uruguay 1980[105]
105  Burundi 16 January 1981[106]
106  Djibouti 31 October 1982[107]
107  Bhutan 23 May 1983[108]
108  Singapore 30 June 1985[109]
109  New Zealand 1985[110]
110  Bolivia 28 July 1986[100]
111  Cape Verde 30 March 1987[111]
112  Benin 24 December 1987[112]
113  Seychelles 11 July 1988[113]
114  Equatorial Guinea 1988[114]
—  State of Palestine 3 January 1989[115]
115  Brunei 1 May 1990[116]
116  Namibia 27 March 1990[117]
117  Democratic Republic of the Congo 27 November 1990[100]
118  Nicaragua 27 June 1991[100]
119  Zimbabwe 1991[118]
120  Belarus 25 May 1992[119]
121  Honduras 7 June 1992[120]
122  Ivory Coast 23 July 1992[121]
123  Georgia 3 September 1992[122]
124  Slovakia 1 January 1993[123]
125  Bosnia and Herzegovina 4 January 1993[124]
126  Kazakhstan 11 January 1993[125]
127  Moldova 11 January 1993[126]
128  Paraguay 23 February 1993[100]
129  Ukraine 18 April 1993[127]
130  Eritrea 20 October 1993[128]
131  Bahamas 9 March 1994[100]
132  Lithuania 5 April 1994[129]
133  South Africa 20 May 1994[130]
134  Armenia 8 July 1994[131]
135  Uzbekistan 8 July 1994[132]
136  Latvia 15 July 1994[133]
137  Cambodia 16 July 1994[134]
138  Slovenia 5 October 1994[135]
139  Croatia 8 October 1994[136]
140  Azerbaijan 10 October 1994[137]
141  Estonia 28 October 1994[138]
142  Kyrgyzstan 17 December 1994[139]
143  Turkmenistan 13 January 1995[140]
144  Tajikistan 31 March 1995[141]
145  Malawi 19 June 1995[142]
146  Guyana 17 August 1995[100]
147  Barbados 22 August 1995[143]
148  Marshall Islands 27 September 1995[144]
149  Solomon Islands 18 October 1995[100]
150  Guatemala 12 December 1995[145]
151  Iceland 26 April 1996[146]
152  Mozambique 20 May 1996[147]
153  Eswatini 22 May 1996[148]
154  Botswana 10 June 1996[149]
155  North Macedonia 16 June 1997[150]
156  Angola 20 November 1997[100]
157  Antigua and Barbuda 9 July 1998[151]
158  Myanmar 16 December 1998[100]
159  El Salvador 9 December 1999[100]
160  Republic of the Congo 31 October 2000[152]
161  North Korea 4 April 2001[153]
162  Timor-Leste 16 December 2003[154]
163  Cyprus 3 May 2005[100]
164  Fiji 28 September 2005[100]
165  Belize 8 May 2006[100]
166  Costa Rica 22 September 2006[155]
167  Central African Republic 9 April 2007[156]
168  Andorra 17 March 2008[100]
169  Liechtenstein 16 June 2008[157]
170  Laos 14 July 2008[158]
171  Montenegro 27 July 2010[100]
172  Togo 6 October 2010[159]
173  Saint Lucia 31 January 2011[100]
174  Haiti 5 September 2012[100]
175  Vanuatu 9 November 2012[160]
176  Saint Kitts and Nevis 16 November 2012[161]
177  Tuvalu 29 November 2012[100]
178  Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 8 January 2013[100]
—  Kosovo 16 January 2013[162]
179  South Sudan 12 February 2013[163]
180  Nauru 9 April 2013[100]
181  Grenada 17 May 2013[100]
182  Rwanda 19 September 2013[164]
183  Kiribati 4 March 2014[100]
184  San Marino 17 December 2014[165]
185  Palau 26 May 2015[100]
186  Federated States of Micronesia 1 September 2016[100]
187  Monaco 19 July 2018[166]
188  Tonga 2 September 2021[100]
189  Dominica 10 September 2021[100]
—  Cook Islands 8 December 2021[167]
190  Suriname 1 February 2024[168]
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Bilateral relations

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Africa

More information Country, Formal Relations Began ...
Country Formal Relations Began Notes
 Kenya23 April 1968See Kenya–Kuwait relations

Both countries established diplomatic relations on 23 April 1968 when has been accredited first Ambassador of Kuwait to Kenya with residence in Nairobi Mr. Mohammad A. Al-Mishari.[55]

  • Kenya has an embassy in Kuwait City.
  • Kuwait has an embassy in Nairobi.
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Americas

More information Country, Formal Relations started ...
Country Formal Relations started Notes
 Canada27 April 1965

Both countries established diplomatic relations on 27 April 1965.[169]

In 1965, official relations between Kuwait and Canada were launched when the US ambassador to Kuwait began to act as a non-resident ambassador to Canada.[170] In 1978, Canada opened its embassy in Kuwait City.[170] Kuwait opened its embassy in Ottawa in 1993.[170]

 Mexico23 July 1975See Kuwait–Mexico relations

Both countries established diplomatic relations on 23 July 1975[171]

 Peru 1 December 1975
Main article: Kuwait–Peru relations

Both countries established diplomatic relations on 1 December 1975[93]

  • Peru has an embassy in Kuwait City.
  • Kuwait is accredited to Peru from Santiago, Chile.
 United States22 September 1961Both countries established diplomatic relations on 22 September 1961[174]

See Kuwait–United States relations

Thumb
United States Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Martin Dempsey, with Kuwaiti Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Mubarak Al-Sabah in 2011.

The United States opened a consulate in Kuwait in October 1951, which was elevated to embassy status at the time of Kuwait's independence 10 years later.

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Asia

Kuwait, is a member of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf, which includes, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and Oman. These countries, have solid, and unbreakable bilateral relations. Citizens of these countries, may enter other GCC, country with their national ID. GCC citizens are allowed to reside at any other GCC, nation an unlimited period of time. They also follow the same economic plan, and give each other military, and Intelligence support. They also have similar, educational, social, plans. The GCC countries, discuss their foreign policies, as they try to maintain similar foreign policies. These six monarchies are also known as the oil-rich countries of the Middle East.

More information Country, Formal Relations Began ...
Country Formal Relations Began Notes
 Armenia8 July 1994
  • Armenia has an embassy in Kuwait City.
  • Kuwait has an embassy in Yerevan.
 Bahrain2 September 1971See Bahrain–Kuwait relations

Both countries established diplomatic relations on 2 September 1971[175]

  • Bahrain has an embassy in Kuwait City.
  • Kuwait has an embassy in Manama.
 China22 March 1971

See China–Kuwait relations

China and Kuwait established diplomatic relations on 22 March 1971.[176] In 2007, Kuwait exported $2.3 billion worth of goods to China ($2.1 billion of which was oil) and Kuwait imported $1.3 billion of goods from China.

In 2007, Kuwait supplied China with 95,000 barrels (15,100 m3) of oil per day, accounting for 2.6% of China's total crude oil imports. Saudi Arabia was China's top supplier with its shipments jumping 69.8 percent to 3.84 million tons (939,000 bbl/d), followed by Angola with 2.06 million tons (503,000 bbl/d), down 27.1 percent. Iran became third, with imports from the country shrinking 35.3 percent to 1.18 million tons (289,000 bbl/d). China is the world's second-biggest oil consumer after the US. Abdullatif Al-Houti, managing director of International Marketing at state-run Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC), told KUNA in October that Kuwait is on course for its China-bound crude oil export target of 500,000 bbl/d (79,000 m3/d) by 2015, but success will heavily depend on the Sino-Kuwaiti refinery project. The two countries have been in talks for the planned 300,000 bbl/d (48,000 m3/d) refinery in China's southern Guangdong Province. The complex is expected to be on-stream by 2020.[177][178][179]

In July 2018, the State Administration for Science, Technology and Industry for National Defence signed an agreement with the Government of Kuwait to increase cooperation in the defense industry.[180] China also agreed to increase investment in the Kuwaiti energy sector.[180]

In July 2019, UN ambassadors of 37 countries, including Kuwait, have signed a joint letter to the UNHRC defending China's treatment of Uyghurs in the Xinjiang region.[181]

In June 2020, Kuwait was one of 53 countries backed the Hong Kong national security law at the United Nations.[182]

 Georgia3 September 1992Both countries established diplomatic relations on 3 September 1992.
  • Georgia has an embassy in Kuwait City.
  • Kuwait is accredited to Georgia from its embassy in Yerevan, Armenia.
 India26 March 1962See India–Kuwait relations

Both countries established diplomatic relations on 26 March 1962 when India and Kuwait have decided to raise their diplomatic missions to Embassy level.[13]

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India and Kuwait enjoy mutual relationship due to the strategic position of both nations in the important lane of trade and development of Asia.

India and Kuwait enjoy traditionally friendly relations. These are based in history and have stood the test of time. Geographic proximity, historical trade links, cultural affinities and presence of a large number of Indian expatriates continue to sustain and nurture this long standing relationship. India has been a natural trading partner and a destination for higher learning. Until 1961, the Indian Rupee was the legal tender in Kuwait. High level visits from India to Kuwait have included those by Vice President of India Dr. Zakir Husain in 1965, by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in 1981 and by Vice President of India Shri M Hamid Ansari in 2009. High level visits from Kuwait to India have included those by the Crown Prince and Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Salem Al-Sabah in November 1964, the Amir Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmed Al-Jaber Al-Sabah in 1980 and again in 1983 (for the NAM Summit), and the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmed Al-Jaber Al-Sabah in 2006.

According to the Kuwaiti Ministry of Interior, there are approximately 600,000 Indians, who constitute the largest expatriate community in Kuwait. The Indian community is regarded as the community of first preference among the expatriates in Kuwait. Kuwait views India as a fast-growing economy and a source of highly qualified professional and technical personnel. A large proportion of the Indian expatriates are unskilled and semi-skilled workers. Professionals like engineers, doctors, chartered accountants, scientists, software experts, management consultants, architects; skilled workers like technicians and nurses; semi-skilled workers; retail traders and businessmen are also present in the Indian community.

Of late, there has been an increase in the number of highly qualified Indian experts in hi-tech areas, especially in the software and financial sector in Kuwait. In the field of health, India not only supplies top specialists but also para-medical staff who enjoy high reputation.

The total remittance from Kuwait to India is estimated to be upwards of US$3 billion annually.

Approximately 300 associations exist within the Indian community in Kuwait, representing a variety of regional, professional and cultural interests. Of these, 128 Associations are presently registered with the embassy. Cultural events are organised regularly by these associations through the year, to which leading Indian artistes are often invited.

There are 18 Indian Schools in Kuwait affiliated to the Central Board of Secondary Education, New Delhi.

 Iran17 December 1961See Iran–Kuwait relations

Both countries established diplomatic relations on 17 December 1961.[11]

Iran and Kuwait signed a demarcation agreement in 1965.[183]

On 13 July 2008, Kuwait's Speaker of the Parliament Jassem Al-Kharafi publicly accused the West of provoking Iran on the nuclear issue. In his interview with state-owned Kuwait TV, Al-Kharafi said, "What is happening is that there are provocative Western statements, and Iran responds in the same way... I believe that a matter this sensitive needs dialogue not escalation, and it shouldn't be dealt with as if Iran were one of America's states."[184]

 Iraq10 January 1964See Iraq–Kuwait relations, Kurdistan Region–Kuwait relations

Both countries established diplomatic relations on 10 January 1964.[28]

Diplomatic relations severed on 2 August 1990 when then Iraqi president Saddam Hussein sent his forces to occupy the small Gulf emirate and restore diplomatic relations on 2 August 2004.[185] On March 2, 2021, Iraqi official said that Iraq has so far paid $49.5 billion in war reparations to Kuwait.

Mazhar Salih, an adviser to the Prime Minister, told Al-Sabaah newspaper that Iraq's dues now amount to only $2.5 billion.[186]

 IsraelSee Israel–Kuwait relations

Kuwait has no diplomatic ties with Israel, and boycotts Israeli products.[187] In January 2014, Kuwait boycotted a renewable energy conference attended by Israel in Abu Dhabi, because Kuwait opposes normalization of ties with Israel.[188]

In December 2008, Kuwaiti lawmakers protested in front of the Kuwait National Assembly Building against Israel during the Gaza War. The Kuwaiti lawmakers burned Israeli flags, waved banners reading, "No to hunger, no to submission" and chanted "Allahu Akbar". Israel launched air strikes against Hamas in the Gaza Strip on December 26 after Hamas launched rockets into the Israeli town of Sderot following the expiration of a six-month ceasefire on December 18. On January 3, 2009, MPs protested in front of the National Assembly again.[189] After Friday prayers on January 8, 2009, Jamaan Al-Harbash and several other MPs urged Arab leaders to take a stronger stand against the Israeli attacks and open Rafah Crossing to end an embargo imposed by Israel on the residents of Gaza.[190]

In November 2012, Kuwait and the World Bank concluded an agreement according to which Kuwait contributed a US$50 million grant to the World Bank's Palestinian Reform and Development Program (PRDP).[191]

 Japan8 December 1961

Both countries established diplomatic relations on 8 December 1961.[192]

The two nations have agreed to work together on the security of the oil trade route that connects them.[193]

 Lebanon27 September 1961Both countries established diplomatic relations on 27 September 1961[194]
  • Kuwait has an embassy in Beirut.
  • Lebanon has an embassy in Kuwait City.
 Malaysia28 March 1965See Kuwait–Malaysia relations

Both countries established diplomatic relations on 28 March 1965[195]

  • Kuwait has an embassy in Kuala Lumpur.
  • Malaysia has an embassy in Kuwait City.[196] Relations are mainly in economic cooperation.
 Northern Cyprus Northern Cyprus has a Representative Office in Kuwait City.[197]
 Pakistan21 July 1963See Kuwait–Pakistan relations

Both countries established diplomatic relations on 21 July 1963 when Kuwait opens embassy in Islamabad.[198]

The relationship between Kuwait and Pakistan are exemplary, brotherly, historical and deep based on shared history, traditions and common culture.[199] Kuwait and Pakistan have always enjoyed deep economic and cultural ties.[200]

After the end of the first Gulf War in 1991 Pakistani army engineers were involved in a programme of mine clearance in the country.[201] Kuwait was also the first country to send aid to isolated mountain villages in Kashmir after the quake of 2005,[202] also offering the largest amount of aid in the aftermath of the quake ($100m).[203]

 Qatar15 December 1971See Kuwait–Qatar relations

Both countries established diplomatic relations on 15 December 1971.[68]

  • Kuwait has an embassy in Doha.
  • Qatar has an embassy in Kuwait City.
 Saudi Arabia5 October 1961

Both countries established diplomatic relations on 5 October 1961.[7]

Although Kuwait and Saudi Arabia have good relations and cooperate within OPEC and the GCC, Riyadh disputes Kuwait's ownership of the Qaruh and Umm al Maradim islands.[204]

 South Korea11 June 1979

The Republic of Korea and Kuwait have had diplomatic relations since 11 June 1979.[205] On 2 March 2015, foreign minister Yun Byung-se and his Kuwaiti counterpart Sheikh Sabah Al-Khalid Al-Hamad Al-Sabah signed a bilateral Agreement on the mutual waiver of visa requirements for holders of diplomatic, official, and special passports in the presence of the heads of state of the Republic of Korea and Kuwait.[206]

 Syria24 October 1963See Kuwait–Syria relations

Both countries established diplomatic relations on 24 October 1963[207]

Kuwait–Syria relations became somewhat strained due to the Syrian Civil War after Kuwait closed its embassies along with the rest of the Arab States of the Persian Gulf. Bilaterial relations have since come to focus on humanitarian efforts for Syria instead. For example, Kuwait has hosted three international pledging conferences in 2013, 2014 and 2015, raising 1.5bn,[208] 2.4bn[209] and 3.8bn[210] respectively. Relations between the two countries have since normalized.

In 2016, Kuwait co-hosted the Supporting Syria and the Region Conference in London along with the United Kingdom, Kuwait, Germany and Norway.[211] The conference resulted in a record $10 billion pledge.[211]

 Turkey10 January 1964Both countries established diplomatic relations on 10 January 1964[29]

See Kuwait–Turkey relations

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Turkey describes the current relations at "outstanding levels".[212] Bilateral trade between the two countries is worth around $275 million. The two countries have recently signed fifteen agreements for cooperation in tourism, health, environment, economy, commercial exchange and oil.[213]

  • Kuwait has an embassy in Ankara and a consulate-general in Istanbul.
  • Turkey has an embassy in Kuwait City.
 United Arab Emirates8 March 1972See Kuwait–United Arab Emirates relations

Both countries established diplomatic relations on 8 March 1972[72]

  • Kuwait has an embassy in Abu Dhabi and a consulate-general in Dubai.
  • United Arab Emirates has an embassy in Kuwait City.
 Vietnam10 January 1976

Both countries established diplomatic relations on 10 January 1976[214]

Kuwait was the first country in the GCC that Vietnam chose to establish its trade representative office in 1993, and embassy in 2003. The former Prime Minister of Kuwait Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammed Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah and Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung in 2009 visited each other's countries.[215]

 Yemen

As a member of the UN Security Council in 1990 and 1991, Yemen abstained on a number of resolutions concerning the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait and voted against the "use of force resolution." Kuwait responded by cancelling aid programs, cutting diplomatic contact, and expelling thousands of Yemeni workers.[216]

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Europe

More information Country, Formal Relations Began ...
Country Formal Relations Began Notes
 Albania8 August 1968Both countries established diplomatic relations on 8 August 1968[56]
Thumb
Kuwait – Albania friendship monument

Albania and Kuwait are members of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation. The restoration of Skanderbeg Square in Albanian capital Tirana is funded by a grant from the State of Kuwait.

  • Albania has an embassy in Kuwait City.
  • Kuwait has an embassy in Tirana.
 Austria
  • Austria has an embassy in Kuwait City.
  • Kuwait has an embassy in Vienna.
 Belgium
  • Belgium has an embassy in Kuwait City.
  • Kuwait has an embassy in Brussels.
 Cyprus3 May 2005Both countries established diplomatic relations on 3 May 2005[217]

See Cyprus-Kuwait relations

Cyprus and Kuwait can be described as excellent with various exchange visits between the two countries.

  • Cyprus has an embassy in Kuwait City.
  • Kuwait has an embassy in Nicosia.
 Czech Republic
  • the Czech Republic has an embassy in Kuwait City.
  • Kuwait has an embassy in Prague.
 Denmark25 April 1964

Both countries established diplomatic relations on 25 April 1964.[218]

On 6 November 2006, the Kuwaiti parliament voted 22–15 to approve severing diplomatic ties with Denmark over the Jyllands-Posten Muhammad cartoons controversy and spending about US$50 (€39.20) million to defend Muhammad's image in the West. Both votes were nonbinding, meaning the Cabinet does not have to abide by them. Kuwaiti lawmaker Abdulsamad voted in favor of cutting diplomatic ties, saying, "We have to cut diplomatic and commercial ties with Denmark...We don't have to eat Danish cheese."[219] Al-Rashid voted against cutting diplomatic ties, arguing that Muslims have to be positive and remember that it were some individuals, not governments, who insulted Muhammad. Al-Rashid was quoted as saying, "We here in Kuwait curse Christians in many of our mosques, should those (Christian) countries boycott Kuwait?"[219]

 France
  • France has an embassy in Kuwait City.
  • Kuwait has an embassy in Paris.
 Germany 20 May 1964[220] See Germany–Kuwait relations
  • Kuwait has an embassy in Berlin.
  • Germany has an embassy in Kuwait City.
 Greece3 January 1965

Both countries established diplomatic relations on 3 January 1965[221]

Greece was one of the 34 member countries in the coalition which assisted in the liberation of Kuwait from Iraq in 1991 during the Gulf War. Greece also participated in the UNICOM mission to patrol the demilitarized zone along the Kuwait-Iraq border.[222]

  • Greece has an embassy in Kuwait City.
  • Kuwait has an embassy in Athens.
 Holy See21 October 1968Both countries established diplomatic relations on 21 October 1968[223]
  • Holy See has an apostolic nunciature in Kuwait City.
 Italy
  • Italy has an embassy in Kuwait City.
  • Kuwait has an embassy in Rome.
 Kosovo16 January 2013
  • Kuwait recognised the Republic of Kosovo on 11 October 2011.[224]
  • Kosovo and Kuwait established diplomatic relations on 16 January 2013.[225]
 Netherlands
  • Kuwait has an embassy in The Hague.
  • the Netherlands has an embassy in Kuwait City.
 Poland13 May 1963Both countries established diplomatic relations on 13 May 1963[226]
  • Kuwait has an embassy in Warsaw.
  • Poland has an embassy in Kuwait City.
 Romania
  • Kuwait has an embassy in Bucharest.
  • Romania has an embassy in Kuwait City.
 Spain17 April 1964See Kuwait–Spain relations

Both countries established diplomatic relations on 17 April 1964[227]

  • Kuwait has an embassy in Madrid.
  • Spain has an embassy in Kuwait City.
 Sweden 22 December 1964 Both countries established diplomatic relations on 22 December 1964 when Sweden opens its embassy in Kuwait.[41]
 United KingdomSee Foreign relations of the United Kingdom

Kuwait established diplomatic relations with the United Kingdom on 8 November 1961.[228]

  • Kuwait maintains an embassy in London.
  • The United Kingdom is accredited to Kuwait through its embassy in Kuwait City.[229]

The UK governed Kuwait from 1899 to 1961, when it achieved full independence.

Both countries share common membership of the World Trade Organization. Bilaterally the two countries have signed an Investment Agreement.[230] The UK and the Gulf Cooperation Council, of which Kuwait is a member, are negotiating a Free Trade Agreement.

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Oceania

More information Country, Formal Relations Began ...
Country Formal Relations Began Notes
 Australia
  • Australia has an embassy in Kuwait City.
  • Kuwait has an embassy in Canberra.
 New Zealand
  • Kuwait has an embassy in Wellington.
  • New Zealand is accredited to Kuwait from its embassy in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
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See also

References

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