The United Arab Emirates has launched a hot-air balloon from a site close to Kuwait Towers, the country's three landmarks, on Friday, three days ahead of the 30th Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Summit.
The UAE initiative backed by the sponsor of the summit His Highness the Kuwaiti Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah shows the desire of the UAE youth to contribute to the success of the GCC march towards scientific advancement, Kuwaiti official said.
Speaking to KUNA, chief of the information center of the summit and advisor to the Amiri Diwan Mohmmad Abul-Hassan said the UAE balloon team, led by Captain Abdulaziz Al-Mansori, features the latest achievements of aeronautical hobbies.
"The launching ceremony was attended by dozens of dignitaries including Director of the Public Relations Department of the Information Ministry Moussa Turki who doubles as master of ceremonies of the information center of the summit," Abul-Hassan noted.
"The balloon aims to deliver a message to the nations inside and outside the GCC about the philosophy, founding charter and goals of the bloc, he revealed.
"It will have stopovers in several GCC member states as well as other Middle East and European countries," he revealed.
On his part, Captain Al-Mansori said the concept of the launching the balloon came into being after the passing away of Sheikh Zayed Ben Sultan Al-Nahayan, the late president of the UAE.
It aims to highlight the close ties among the youths of the GCC nations, he said, extolling HH the Amir for his support to the idea.
"The project is a dedication from HH the Amir to the GCC leaders and nations as well as the other Arab nations," Al-Mansori pointed out.
"Based on voluntary action, the balloon was made in the United Kingdom in a brief time, only four months, in collaboration with the Kuwaiti security and aviation authorities," he added.
In similar statements to KUNA, the balloon's team member co-pilot Hassan Al-Mansouri said the project aimed to promote the bonds of amity and fraternity among the nations of the region and beyond.
Sami Al-Hamad, member of the information center of the summit, seized the opportunity to express regards to HH the Amir for his efforts to set the stage for the historic summit in Kuwait.
"On the onset of the event, the center developed several publications including a book highlighting the achievements of the GCC over the last three decades and the common aspirations of the GCC nations.
"The book will be translated into English, French and Spanish," Al-Hamad disclosed.  - Kuna