This day stands as a powerful testament to the country’s resilience, sovereignty, and national pride.
Edited by Anna Popper
Kuwait National Day, observed annually on 25 February, commemorates the accession to the throne of Sheikh Abdullah Al-Salem Al-Sabah in 1950. Sheikh Abdullah is considered the architect of Kuwait’s modern development and played a pivotal role in securing the country’s independence from Britain on 19 June 1961.
He also introduced a modern constitution and democratic governance, making Kuwait the first Gulf state with an elected parliament. This day marks the beginning of Kuwait’s transformation into a prosperous and peaceful nation, laying the foundation for its continued growth and stability.
Additionally, Kuwait’s Liberation Day falls on 26 February, commemorating the end of the country’s seven-month Iraqi occupation in 1991. Kuwait was liberated by a US-led coalition during the Gulf War.
Independence Day was originally celebrated on 19 June, but in 1963, the government merged it with National Day on 25 February to avoid the extreme summer heat. Together, National Day and Liberation Day symbolize Kuwait’s resilience, sovereignty, and national pride.
On the occasion of the 64th Anniversary of Independence Day and the 34th Anniversary of Kuwait’s Liberation, H.E. Mr. Tareq Abdullah M Alfaraj, Ambassador of the State of Kuwait to Hungary and his Spouse hosted a grand reception in the ballroom of the InterContinental Hotel Budapest. The event was attended by distinguished Hungarian officials, including the Guest of Honour, Mr. Tamás Vargha, State Secretary and Deputy Minister of Defence, as well as esteemed members of the diplomatic corps, prominent figures from business, culture, and academic circles, and Kuwaiti nationals.
The commemoration started with the National anthems of Kuwait and Hungary. This was followed by the address of Ambassador Tareq Abdullah M Alfaraj:
“Your Excellency Mr. Tamás Vargha, State Secretary and Deputy Minister of the Hungarian Ministry of Defence, Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen,
On behalf of my esteemed colleagues at the Embassy of the State of Kuwait in Hungary, it is my great pleasure to extend a warm welcome to all of you. We sincerely appreciate your presence as we celebrate the 64th National Day and the 34th Liberation Day of the State of Kuwait. This occasion holds deep significance for us all, symbolizing our nation’s enduring journey of resilience, progress, and sacrifice.
It is a true honour to begin my tenure as Ambassador of the State of Kuwait to Hungary at such a significant time, as we mark the 61st anniversary of diplomatic relations between our two friendly countries. I am immensely proud to witness the remarkable progress our bilateral ties have achieved over the past decades. This progress has greatly strengthened our political and economic cooperation, reflected in the signing of numerous important agreements and memoranda of understanding in various vital sectors, as well as in the fruitful exchange of high-level visits. With this strong foundation, I am confident that our relationship will continue to thrive and develop, serving as a shining example of constructive cooperation and mutual respect between countries.
On this significant occasion, on behalf of the Government and people of the State of Kuwait, I would like to reiterate our heartfelt gratitude to the Government and people of Hungary for their unwavering support during and after Kuwait’s liberation. Their invaluable contributions, particularly in extinguishing the oil well fires, along with their other acts of solidarity, will be forever engraved in our collective memory, since their efforts not only reaffirm the strength and depth of our longstanding friendship but also stand as undeniable proof of the deep bond between our two nations.
Building on the valuable efforts of my esteemed predecessors, I am committed throughout my tenure to strengthening economic, tourism, and investment cooperation between Kuwait and Hungary. I will work diligently to finalize the draft Agreement on Mutual Investment Promotion and Protection and to modernize the existing Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement between our countries. Furthermore, I aim to enhance political consultations between our respective foreign ministries to foster dialogue on regional and international matters of mutual interest.
In addition, I will oversee preparations for the Sixth Session of the Kuwaiti-Hungarian Joint Committee for Economic, Technical, and Commercial Cooperation. This session will include the inaugural Business and Investment Forum, bringing together leading investors and business figures from both countries. Scheduled to take place in Kuwait later this year, the forum will provide an invaluable platform to further strengthen our economic ties and explore new investment opportunities.
Distinguished Guests, before concluding, I am pleased to share two significant developments that will further strengthen our bilateral cooperation.
First, I am delighted to announce the launch of Jazeera Airways’ direct flight service between Kuwait and Budapest, set to commence this summer with two weekly flights. This milestone represents a major advancement in connectivity, making travel more accessible while creating greater opportunities for tourism, trade, and cultural exchange between our nations.
Secondly, I am pleased to highlight a landmark agreement signed in February 2025 between the jointly owned Hungarian companies Forest-Vill Ltd. and Ganz Transformers and Electric Machines Ltd., and Kuwait’s Industrial Electrical Projects Company (IEPC Co.). Under this agreement, the Hungarian company will oversee the maintenance, modernization, and replacement of more than 50 electrical substations across the State of Kuwait.
In conclusion, I extend my heartfelt gratitude to the Government and people of Hungary for their unwavering support and cooperation. I eagerly look forward to further strengthening our partnership in a manner that reflects our shared values of mutual respect and prosperity.
Allow me also to express my sincere appreciation to the dedicated staff and members of the Embassy for their hard work in organizing this event.
My gratitude extends also to the management of the InterContinental Hotel, the technical support team, and all those who contributed to the success of this gathering.”
“Thank you, and I wish you all a pleasant and enjoyable evening. May God’s peace, mercy, and blessings be upon you.”
In his speech, the Guest of Honour, Mr. Tamás Vargha, State Secretary and Deputy Minister of the Hungarian Ministry of Defence, conveyed heartfelt greetings from the Hungarian government on the occasion of the National Day of the State of Kuwait, and highlighted the deep-rooted friendship and multifaceted cooperation between the two nations.
He also acknowledged the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations last year and emphasized the enduring partnership and shared achievements. Furthermore, he extended his best wishes for continued success and prosperity in the years to come.
The fifth session of the Kuwaiti-Hungarian Joint Committee for Economic and Technical Cooperation took place in Budapest in October 2024. The event was co-chaired by Mr. Vargha and Ms. Aseel Al-Munifi, Assistant Undersecretary of the Ministry of Finance of Kuwait.
The official proceedings were followed by the cake-cutting ceremony, with Arab ambassadors invited to the stage alongside the Guest of Honour, marking a remarkable moment of the celebration.
It was succeeded by a reception where guests indulged in a variety of delicious specialties, all dishes served in a warm and convivial atmosphere that encouraged lively conversation and further strengthening the bonds of cooperation and fostering friendship among all present.
Source: Embassy of the State of Kuwait in Budapest
Photos by the Embassy of the State of Kuwait in Budapest – Mr. Adam Draskovics photographer, Ganz Transformers and Electric Rotating machines Ltd. Forest-Vill.hu, hungarytoday.hu, aviacionline.com
