President Sheikh Mohamed discusses regional security with Kuwait’s Emir

President Sheikh Mohamed, Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Presidential Court, and Kuwaiti Emir Sheikh Meshal laugh during a state visit reception at Qasr Al Watan, Abu Dhabi. Abdulla Al Neyadi / UAE Presidential Court

Sheikh Mohamed speaks to Sheikh Meshal over lunch at Qasr Al Watan. Abdulla Al Neyadi / UAE Presidential Court

Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of Abu Dhabi Executive Council, greets Sheikh Meshal, with Sheikh Mohamed looking on. Ryan Carter / UAE Presidential Court

Sheikh Khaled and Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed, chairman of the Office of Development and Martyrs Families Affairs, attend the reception. Abdulla Al Neyadi / UAE Presidential Court

Sheikh Mohamed hosts a state reception for the Kuwaiti Emir. Ryan Carter / UAE Presidential Court

Sheikh Meshal visited Abu Dhabi on Tuesday on an official state visit. Ryan Carter / UAE Presidential Court

He was received by Sheikh Mohamed and Sheikh Mansour on his arrival. Abdulla Al Neyadi / UAE Presidential Court

Schoolchildren wait to welcome Sheikh Meshal at Qasr Al Watan. Ryan Carter / UAE Presidential Court

Emiratis perform a traditional dance during the state visit. Mohamed Al Blooshi for the UAE Presidential Court

The ceremony featured the national anthems of the UAE and Kuwait, an honour guard and a 21-gun salute. Mohamed Al Blooshi for the UAE Presidential Court

Sheikh Mohamed and Sheikh Meshal discussed relations between their countries, particularly in the economic, trade, investment and developmental sectors. Ryan Carter / UAE Presidential Court

Sheikh Meshal has already visited Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar and Oman over the past couple of months. Omar Askar / UAE Presidential Court

The motorcade at Qasr Al Watan was escorted by horsemen and camel riders, as well as Emirati folk art groups. Omar Askar / UAE Presidential Court

Al Fursan aerobatics team perform a fly-past during the welcoming ceremony. Omar Askar / UAE Presidential Court

Schoolchildren participate in the state visit reception hosted for Sheikh Meshal. Omar Askar / UAE Presidential Court

Sheikh Mohamed and Sheikh Meshal stand for their national anthems at Qasr Al Watan. Abdulla Al Bedwawi / UAE Presidential Court

The two leaders emphasised the need to bolster regional security and stability, while promoting the framework of the GCC. Ryan Carter / UAE Presidential Court

Sheikh Meshal wrote in the Qasr Al Watan VIP guestbook, expressing his appreciation to the UAE’s leadership, government and people. Mohamed Al Blooshi for the UAE Presidential Court

The visit concluded on Tuesday afternoon when Sheikh Meshal left Abu Dhabi. Abdulla Al Bedwawi / UAE Presidential Court

Al Fursan aerobatics team depicted the Kuwaiti flag in the sky. Mohamed Al Blooshi for the UAE Presidential Court

Emirati performers at the state reception at Qasr Al Watan. Ryan Carter / UAE Presidential Court

Members of the UAE honour guard at Qasr Al Watan. Abdulla Al Bedwawi / UAE Presidential Court

A traditional dance is performed during the state reception. Omar Askar / UAE Presidential Court

A camel rider participates in the state reception. Omar Askar / UAE Presidential Court

Sheikh Meshal was sworn in as ruler in December after the death of his half-brother Sheikh Nawaf. Reuters

Sheikh Meshal was bid farewell by Sheikh Mansour at the end of his visit. Hamad Al Kaabi / UAE Presidential Court

Sheikh Mansour and Sheikh Meshal at the Presidential Airport in Abu Dhabi. Mohamed Al Hammadi / UAE Presidential Court

Kuwait’s Emir Sheikh Meshal visited Abu Dhabi on Tuesday on an official state visit.

Sheikh Meshal was received by President Sheikh Mohamed and Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Presidential Court, on his arrival, state news agency Wam reported.

The motorcade at Qasr Al Watan was escorted by horsemen and camel riders, as well as Emirati folk art groups, before Sheikh Mohamed led Sheikh Meshal to the dais of honour.

The ceremony featured the national anthems of the UAE and Kuwait, an honour guard and a 21-gun salute, before Al Fursan aerobatics team depicted the Kuwaiti flag in the sky. Landmarks and streets in Abu Dhabi were also decorated with Kuwaiti flags.

Sheikh Mohamed and Sheikh Meshal discussed relations between their countries, particularly in the economic, trade, investment and developmental sectors.

An honour guard and a 21-gun salute greet President Sheikh Mohamed and Sheikh Meshal after the Kuwaiti Emir arrived in Abu Dhabi. UAE Presidential Court

They also emphasised the need to bolster regional security and stability, while promoting the framework of the Gulf Co-operation Council.

Sheikh Meshal wrote in the Qasr Al Watan VIP guestbook, expressing his appreciation of the UAE’s leadership, government and people.

Sheikh Mohamed awarded the Order of Zayed to Sheikh Meshal, while the President was awarded the Order of Mubarak the Great in return, as a mark of respect between the two nations.

Sheikh Meshal left Abu Dhabi on Tuesday afternoon and was bid farewell by Sheikh Mansour.

“I was pleased to welcome my brother Sheikh Mishal Al Ahmad Al Sabah, Emir of Kuwait, to Abu Dhabi to discuss the strong and deep-rooted bonds that unite our nations in pursuit of a better future for our region,” Sheikh Mohamed wrote on X.

“The UAE and Kuwait are committed to advancing bilateral co-operation as we work to foster progress, prosperity, and stability for all.”

The Emir, who was sworn in as ruler in December following the death of his half-brother Sheikh Nawaf, had already visited the other countries – Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar and Oman – that make up the GCC over the past couple of months.

Economic and trade agreements and deals between the two countries over the past several decades have contributed to increasing the volume of investments and trade exchanges between Kuwait and the UAE.

In 2014, the UAE and Kuwait established a high-joint committee with an emphasis on intensifying efforts to enhance co-operation between both countries and advance the joint GCC action.

Among the most prominent agreements between the two countries was a three-way deal in the field of securities signed in February 2022 between the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange, the Kuwait Stock Exchange and the Kuwait Clearing Company.

Statistics from the UAE’s Securities and Commodities Authority indicate that the number of Kuwaiti shareholders in publicly traded companies increased from three individuals in 2000 to 40,979 in 2022, according to the Ministry of Finance.

Trade between the UAE and Kuwait in the first half of 2023 reached Dh22.3 billion ($6.07 billion), while statistics compiled by the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security show the total trade exchange between the UAE and Kuwait amounted to Dh44.8 billion during 2023, and Dh44.1 billion during 2022, a growth of 15 per cent compared with 2021.

Kuwaiti Emir Sheikh Meshal on regional tour - in pictures

President Sheikh Mohamed receives Kuwaiti Emir Sheikh Meshal upon his arrival in Abu Dhabi on a state visit. Hamad Al Kaabi / UAE Presidential Court

Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Presidential Court, with Sheikh Meshal in Abu Dhabi. Hamad Al Kaabi / UAE Presidential Court

Saudi Arabia's King Salman meets Sheikh Meshal during his first official visit to Riyadh. SPA

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman with Sheikh Meshal upon his arrival in Riyadh. SPA

Sheikh Meshal is received by Oman's Sultan Haitham in Muscat. Oman News Agency

Sheikh Meshal and Sultan Haitham in Muscat. Oman News Agency

Bahrain's King Hamad and Sheikh Meshal in Manama. BNA

Sheikh Meshal meets Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim in Doha. Getty Images