ANKARA

The Kuwaiti Embassy in Turkey marked on Tuesday the country’s 59th national day and the 29th anniversary of liberation.

The ceremony, which was held in the capital Ankara, saw wide participation of Turkish officials, including Justice Minister Abdulhamit Gul.

The event was also attended by high-profile foreign diplomats.

Speaking to Anadolu Agency, Kuwaiti Ambassador to Ankara Ghassan Yousuf al-Zawawi said that "given the distinctive relations between Kuwait and Turkey, the level of bilateral ties should reach a better level."

He added that Kuwaitis celebrate their distinguished occasion amid globally deteriorating health conditions.

Referring to the latest developments on the novel coronavirus, al-Zawawi voiced hope that the dangerous epidemic will be contained soon.

Kuwait confirmed Monday that three people, including a Saudi national, returning from Iran were infected with the virus.

The Kuwaiti diplomat also reiterated that his country will continue its mediation efforts to end the Gulf crisis.

Since its eruption in the middle of 2017, Kuwait has been playing an active role with a view to resolve the dispute among the Gulf neighbors.

On June 19, 1961, Kuwait’s independence was declared during the reign of Sheikh Abdullah Al-Salim Al-Sabah, who first took power in 1950. He changed the Independence Day to Feb. 25, the date of his accession to power, which also coincides with the liberation from the Iraqi invasion in 1991.