Muscat, Rabi'II 30, 1436, Feb 19, 2015, SPA -- The Kuwaiti and Omani leaders have been paying more attention to promote and consolidate bilateral relations between the two countries, Kuwait's First Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah said. Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled made the remarks during his inaugural speech in the joint Kuwait-Oman higher committee meeting here on Thursday. The two leaders believe that risks and challenges the region is facing require further coordination, integration and cooperation among the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, he said. "As Kuwait is going to mark the 54th Independence Day, the 24th Liberation Day, we are recalling proudly the solid and decisive stances of Oman that supported Kuwaitis during the Iraqi invasion," he said, noting these stances will be engraved in our hearts. The joint Kuwait-Oman higher committee is considered a significant platform to enhance the brotherly ties between the two countries, he noted, adding it is a pleasure to say that some 27 bodies interested in strengthening bilateral cooperation are participating in the committee's meeting. Signing a number of MoUs and deals in several domains between the two countries would contribute to cementing and consolidating bilateral relations and to creating wider horizons through bilateral cooperation, he said. These deals and memos will also promote mechanisms of common action among the GCC member states and meet their aspirations to achieve further solidarity and integration, the Kuwaiti official pointed out. --SPA 19:10 LOCAL TIME 16:10 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/w