WASHINGTON (Pakistan Point News / Sputnik - 21st March, 2019) The United States and Kuwait will work to boost their defense cooperation and modernize their shared military facilities in the Gulf nation, the two countries said in a joint statement on Wednesday after high-level talks in Kuwait City.
"We discussed our future defense cooperation and the priority of moving forward with modernizing the military facilities in Kuwait used jointly by our forces, as guided by our Joint Military Commission," the statement said.
Earlier on Wednesday, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Kuwaiti Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Shiekh Sabah al-Khaled al-Hamad al-Sabah co-chaired the third US-Kuwait Strategic Dialogue, a strategy forum grouping senior officials from both countries, in Kuwait City.
The joint statement issued at the conclusion of the dialogue underscored the United States' ongoing commitment to Kuwait's security.
"Today, both countries continue to work together closely to ensure that the Armed Forces of Kuwait are effectively equipped to defend their nation through the acquisition of US systems such as the F/A-18 Super Hornet and the M1A2 tank, and by expanding US comprehensive professional training programs," the statement said.
During the dialogue, the two sides signed an agreement that will allow the the Pentagon to provide defense articles, training, and materials to Kuwait on a grant basis, the statement said, without elaborating on the types of equipment that will be provided.
The US and Kuwait also inked agreements to improve joint efforts to identify high-risk travelers, and to enhance counter-narcotics cooperation, the statement said.
The two countries also pledged to continue coordinating their efforts to establish a NATO-style Arab defense pact, or the so-called middle East Strategic Alliance, which would group the United States, Gulf Cooperation Council members, Egypt and Jordan, according to the joint statement.
