Bahrain Ambassador to UK participates in Anglo-Israel Association (AIA) symposium

London, Nov. 26 (BNA): The Ambassador of the Kingdom of Bahrain to the United Kingdom, Shaikh Fawaz bin Mohammed Al Khalifa, participated in the symposium held by the Anglo-Israel Association (AIA) entitled “Principles of the Abraham Accords for Peace and Regional Cooperation.” The virtual symposium was held at an invitation of Lord Bew, AIA Chairman. It was also attended by Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates to the United Kingdom, Mansour Belhoul and Ambassador of the State of Israel to the United Kingdom Tzipi Hotovely, with the participation of a number of UK-based interested representatives, politicians and researchers. Shaikh Fawaz said in a statement that the signing of the agreement comes as a natural development of the Kingdom of Bahrain's long approach to openness to others, tolerance and peace, promoted by the culture-rich and diverse Bahraini community. He added that the agreement and other bilateral joint memoranda of understanding between the two countries are means through which the Kingdom of Bahrain seeks to fundamentally transform the dynamics of the Middle East, and build a better future of peace, security and prosperity for all peoples of the region. The Ambassador noted that the Kingdom of Bahrain – leadership, government and people - are always open to other religions and cultures, and on the basis of these foundations, His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, has affirmed these values and urged to build bridges of trust and understanding among all cultures and religions. He made a link between the effective implementation of these trends and the establishment of the King Hamad Global Centre for Peaceful Coexistence, and the Kingdom of Bahrain Declaration of 2017. He also referred to the common challenges that the three countries face in a number of areas, stressing that real peace between the three countries is more than just security cooperation. “The Kingdom of Bahrain is fully convinced that this agreement will lead to a better future for all the peoples of the region, and a future in which they can finally achieve their aspirations,” the ambassador noted, pointing to the number of memoranda of understanding signed in the recent period between the Kingdom of Bahrain and the State of Israel. He affirmed that at the core of this cooperation between the three countries must be a solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, through a permanent and comprehensive peace based on the two-state solution that guarantees the rights of the Palestinian people. “This vision has always been and remains the unflinching position of the Kingdom of Bahrain when it comes to the peace process in the Middle East, and the best way to achieve this goal is through constructive dialogue, joint cooperation, promotion of the values of peace, security and stability by bringing together all countries and peoples of the region to work on a common prosperous future. In his statement, Ambassador Belhoul of the United Arab Emirates referred to the importance of the agreements signed between the UAE and Israel as part of the three countries’ endeavors to embark on a real cooperation between them towards more regional security and prosperity in the upcoming period. As to the Israeli Ambassador, Tzipi Hotovely, she stressed that the unprecedented steps taken by the three countries by signing the principles of the Abraham Peace Agreement comes as an indication of the importance of interaction during the coming period. She also noted the need to support mutual cooperation at all commercial, economic and cultural levels and said that the security and political dimensions, though still important, are not the only targets rather than achieving lasting peace,” she said.