By Anna Ghazaryan

YEREVAN.- An interview of Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of Kuwait H.E. Mr.Bassam Alqabandi with Armenian News-NEWS.am.

Embassy of Kuwait opened in Armenia in 2011. How do you assess the level of bilateral relations between our two countries? What has been done during this period?

First of all, I want to share the delight of opening the embassies in Yerevan and Kuwait. It should be noted that the two countries already had relations before the opening of the embassies. The Armenian community of Kuwait is reaching about seven thousand. Kuwait has an Armenian school, which is 50 years old. The Armenian community has a very good reputation, so we can say that the relations between our two countries have been developing historically. As for the opening of embassies, a number of mutual visits took place. President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan visited Kuwait in 2009. This was followed by the trips of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Territorial Administration Armen Gevorgyan and Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian. From the Kuwaiti side I want to mention the visit of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Mustafa Jassem Al-Shamali to Armenia. The visit of Sheikha al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah of Kuwait at the invitation of  Armenia's First Lady is a trip indicating the depth of relations between the two countries. The first lady of Kuwait is the Chairwoman of the Supreme Committee of the Ideal Mother, which is helping families in need.

There are many ways in which our two countries can cooperate. In his inaugural speech, President Serzh Sargsyan noted that Armenia will focus on the economic development. We are convinced that our countries need to work in this direction. We are working to create a solid basis in order to be able to attract Kuwaiti investors. In addition, Armenia has recently hosted the Days of Kuwaiti culture.

The Government of Kuwait has recently provided assistance to the Syrian Armenians...

The Government of Kuwait has provided Syrians with the assistance totaling $300 million, out of which $100,000 was allocated to Syrian Armenians. The work was done jointly with the [Armenian] Ministry of Diaspora. Thanks to the consistent efforts of Minister Hranush Hakobyan we managed to hand over coupons by the New Year. Let me remind you that Kuwait hosted a conference of donors to collect humanitarian aid for the Syrians. The event was convened by the Emir of Kuwait Sabah IV Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah. The conference collected $1.5 billion. Of these, $300 million, including $110 million to the UN agency for refugees, was allocated by Kuwait. All assistance went to displaced Syrians. Emir Al-Sabah, not interfering into the internal affairs of Syria, consistently followed for assistance to reach the Syrians.

You have already mentioned about the economic relations between our countries. Which fields are Kuwaiti investors interested in?

We are convinced that one of the areas attractive for investment is the tourism sector. It is also necessary to think about exporting. Armenian market is in need of some types of products. The countries signed an agreement to waive double taxation. Kuwait and Armenia have reached many arrangements. Kuwaiti investors will work on this background. We are also working on launching direct flights from Kuwait City to Yerevan so that our businessmen could learn more about the fields attractive for investments.

Kuwait plans to build a reservoir in Armenia. Will you please tell us about the project?

The reservoir will be built near the village of Mastara near the border with Turkey (Aragatsotn region of Armenia - ed.). The Armenian government has submitted a program for the construction of the reservoir. The program is now being studied. We are also waiting for the papers from the Armenian side. The project will be carried out with the funds provided by non-profit Kuwait Fund which is implementing 150 programs worldwide. Construction of the reservoir plays an important role for agriculture and cattle breeding in Armenia.

You mentioned Kuwait-Yerevan direct flights. Could you clarify the situation on recent statements made by the head of Armenia’s General Department of Civil Aviation Artyom Movsisyan. Can you name the possible date for the opening of flights? 

We are working on the opening of Kuwait-Yerevan direct flights, taking into account the close geographic location between the states. Regarding his statements, I read in press that he was speaking about an agreement. However, there was no agreement. We did not sign anything. There is no particular paper. As to the date, we are waiting for an answer from Armenian civil aviation and Kuwaiti civil aviation and of course Kuwait Airways as a national carrier. Kuwait Airways has a good history. They are studying the project of having a direct flight from Kuwait to Armenia. We can start with two flights a week, and then we will see in the future how we can increase the number of flights.

There is not much information about Armenian community of Kuwait. What can you tell about Armenians living in your country?

There are 7,000 Armenians living in Kuwait. They are students, businessmen, workers. Historically Armenians worked as handcrafters and engineers. People are happy with Armenian community because they are peace-loving people. They have their school and their church. And, we are happy to have such a community. They have their role in economy and culture.

What is Kuwait’s official position on the Karabakh issue?

We are following the regulations of the United Nations. This is a very sensitive issue for both nations. We hope you will be able to solve the issue through Minsk Group peacefully and without war. Believe me, no war had a good result. No one wins after war. People are dying... for what? [Are they dying] for water, for land, or for oil? Human being is more important. I wish Armenia and Azerbaijan could sit at the negotiating table. There should be sacrifice from both sides. You must solve the issue between the two states directly.