Bahrain is the Arab region's first defence line: diplomats

Cairo, Nov. 11 (BNA): Two Egyptian former diplomats have affirmed that the convening of the Joint Bahrain-Egypt Committee in Manama is a reconfirmation of both countries’ keenness on maintaining constant follow-up and coordination. They said the committee meeting will open vaster vistas of cooperation in technological and investment fields especially as Egypt considers the Arabian Gulf security an inseparable part of its security and maintaining steady consultation with the Arab Gulf countries at the forefront of which with Bahrain. They told the Cairo-based "Alhilal Al Youm" newspaper published by the Dar Al Hilal Press that Bahrain and Egypt are keen on holding the Joint Committee meetings as part of efforts by both states to develop their bilateral cooperation in view of their deep-rooted bilateral ties dating back to bygone decades both at the official and people-to-people levels. Nabil Badr, former Assistant Foreign Minister, said the convening of the Joint Bahraini-Egyptian Committee in Manama reconfirms the close historic bilateral ties based from the outset on cooperation and non-interference in the internal affairs. He added that Egypt is concerned with Arabian Gulf security, including Bahrain’s security and sovereignty. He explained that the Egyptian stance vis-à-vis Bahrain stood on clear announced strategy regarding rejection and zero tolerance of any threat to Bahrain’s security. Ambassador Badr pointed out that the repercussions of the situations in the region and terrorism and its driving forces require continuous joint coordination to boost Arab solidarity, adding that the committee will discuss the bilateral issues in view of existing areas for expansion and diversification of the bilateral ties. He stressed that the cooperation can be boosted in technological, tourism, investment, and educational fields including several memoranda of understanding (MoUs) which will be signed during the committee meeting. Jamal Bayoumi, former Assistant Foreign Minister, said the Joint Bahraini-Egyptian Committee is a mechanism for follow-up of the bilateral economic, commercial and investment relations as well as issues of shared concern regarding the political and security aspects, adding that Bahrain is the first defence line of the Arab region and surrounded with some threats. Ambassador Bayoumi cited President Abdel Fattah El Sisi statements at the Global Youth Forum in Sharm El Shaikh last week in which he reiterated Egypt’s keenness on the Arabian Gulf security and the Egyptian army readiness to move to protect Arab national security whenever required, adding that it was important to maintain constant follow-up and coordination between Bahrain and Egypt. He said Bahrain is among the top Arab countries investing in Egypt and that Bahrain’s investments reached more than $2 billion in addition to trade exchange and the industries in which Bahrain and Egypt are working including the aluminum industry. He pointed out that the Joint Bahrain-Egypt Committee will discuss this cooperation as well as the main issues in the Arab world including Syria, Iraq, Yemen, Libya and the Palestinian cause. He stressed that the issues currently preoccupying the world will be the focus of committee discussion including the fight against terrorism, illegal immigration and organized crime. The Egyptian delegation will be led by Egypt’s Foreign Minister Samih Shukri and includes representatives of various ministries to discuss any obstacles likely to face the two sides. The Joint Committee meetings aim to boost the close cooperation and its meetings will see the joint signing of numerous MoUs and agreements.