(L-R) Xavier Bettel, Luxembourg's Deputy Prime Minister, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade; Abdullah Ali Al-Yahya, Kuwait's Minister of Foreign Affairs;
Credit: MAE
From Sunday 5 to Monday 6 October 2025, Luxembourg's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Xavier Bettel, visited Kuwait City in Kuwait.
As reported by the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs, Defence, Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade, Minister Bettel participated in the second High Level Forum on Regional Security and Cooperation and the 29th Joint Ministerial Meeting between the European Union (EU) and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).
During his speech, Minister Bettel emphasised that, in a multipolar and increasingly uncertain global context, the EU's partnership with GCC countries remains essential. He reiterated the importance of upholding international law, whether in Ukraine or Gaza, and of strengthening cooperation between states.
Regarding the situation in Gaza, he affirmed that the priority remains the immediate cessation of hostilities, the release of all hostages and the delivery of massive amounts of humanitarian aid. It will be crucial to strengthen the Palestinian Authority and foster mutual understanding between the populations in order to reduce hatred and build lasting peace, and create the necessary conditions for the implementation of the two-state solution, he added.
Minister Bettel also stressed the need for Arab and Muslim countries to work towards normalising their relations with Israel, according to a gradual and agreed upon timetable. He noted that the security of Palestine is closely linked to that of Israel and is fundamental to the stability of the entire region.
Moreover, the minister emphasised the need to combat the rise of anti-Semitism, particularly in Europe.
Discussions also focused on the situation in Yemen and the Red Sea, Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, the Horn of Africa and Ukraine.
On the sidelines, Minister Bettel held a bilateral meeting with his Kuwaiti counterpart, Foreign Minister Abdullah Ali Al-Yahya. The two ministers discussed major international issues, including the situation in Gaza, and reaffirmed the importance of a rules-based international order and respect for international law. They also discussed strengthening bilateral relations, particularly in the trade sector, and signed a memorandum of understanding between Luxembourg and Kuwait.
