Bahrain joins Saudi Arabia in celebrating 90th National Day … A history of robust ties, strategic partnership

Manama, Sept. 22 (BNA): Bahrain’s leader, government and people, are joining Saudi Arabia in celebrating its 90th National Day, a glorious anniversary of the unification of the Kingdom and its establishment by King Abdulaziz bin Abdulrahman Al Saud. Bahrain’s celebration is a rich tribute to the depth of the close historical fraternal relations between the two kingdoms and their steady development under the wise leadership of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. On this auspicious occasion, dear to the Arab and Islamic world, Bahrain recalls with affection, pride and satisfaction the history of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia since its establishment on September 23, 1932 as a modern and unified state on solid foundations of justice and wisdom and its honorable contributions to defending religion and supporting regional and international peace and stability. Bahrain also recalls with immense pride Saudi Arabia’s great stances in support of its security, stability and development, embodying the fraternal approach announced by King Abdulaziz, "Even if the bodies are separated, the hearts beat together.” Bahrain is proud of Saudi Arabia’s wise approach under the leadership of King Salman and the support of Crown Prince His Royal Highness Prince Mohammad bin Salman, in championing Arab and Islamic causes and its firm leadership of the Arab and Islamic coalitions to fight terrorism, consolidate legitimacy and restore hope in Yemen and confront foreign interference in Arab internal affairs. Bahrain is also proud of Saudi Arabia’s great role in serving Islam and Muslims, caring for pilgrims and Umrah performers and visitors of the Two Holy Mosques as well as of its success this year in ensuring Hajj is performed in a safe and healthy environment and its ambitious Vision 2030 to accommodate 30 million pilgrims and Umrah performers. Saudi Arabia holds a prestigious position in the world thanks to its humanitarian assistance to 81 countries. The Kingdom has reached the fifth position in the world and is first in the Arab world in providing humanitarian assistance, according to statistics published on the United Nations Financial Tracking Platform (FTS). Bahrain, under the leadership of His Majesty the King, has regularly affirmed that it always stood with Saudi Arabia, based on the belief in the unity of purpose and destiny and on the fact that its security is an integral part of Bahrain's security and Gulf and Arab security. Such a stance was confirmed by HM King Hamad during his meeting with the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques in Jeddah on September 23, 2019. HM the King stressed appreciation of Saudi Arabia’s leading position in the Gulf, Arab and Islamic world, as “the basic pillar for the region’s security and stability and its safety valve in the face of risks and threats.” His Majesty also reaffirmed the stance as he received the senior advisor to the US President early this month, saying, "Gulf stability and solidarity depend, in all situations, on the great sister, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, under the leadership of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, may God protect him. We are with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia through thick and thin to achieve stability and prosperity in the region.” Bahrain, while appreciating the honorable Saudi historical stances regarding its security and stability, affirms its full solidarity with Saudi Arabia in confronting any attempt to target its security and stability. It also affirms its absolute support for the measures it takes to protect its institutions, defend its interests and preserve the safety of its citizens and residents. It also supports its efforts in championing the causes of justice and peace, fighting terrorism and confronting the criminal attacks by the Iranian-backed terrorist Houthi militia. The leaderships of the two countries are always keen to consolidate their partnership at all levels, given the number and intensity of contacts and meetings that have never ceased or paused, the harmony of common positions and their convergent views regarding the challenges and risks facing the region and the world. Other significant factors are the bonds of fraternity, affection and social ties between the two peoples, and which are deep rooted in history. In light of these historical fraternal constants and a common destiny, Bahraini-Saudi relations have reached their peak levels of cooperation and coordination and strengthened their progress as a model for the Gulf, Arab and Islamic world of growing strategic partnership in various political, military, security, economic, investment, media, cultural and social fields. The sectors have gained a positive impetus through the establishment of the Bahraini-Saudi Coordination Council in July 2019. Saudi Arabia is Bahrain’s largest economic partner with non-oil trade exchanges rising from $494 million in 1999 to $3 billion in 2019 and Saudi investments in Bahrain exceeding $ 6.1 billion, according to the statistics of the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Tourism. More than 5,000 Saudi companies were operating in Bahrain in 2018, according to the Saudi-Bahraini Business Council. The construction of the King Hamad Causeway will give a strong impetus to the economic partnership process and to promoting tourism and trade alongside the King Fahad Causeway inaugurated in 1986. The continuation by Bahrain and Saudi Arabia to exercise their roles in supporting issues of security, stability and peace in the region and the world, the firmness and steadfastness of their positions towards common challenges and the size of the vital interests that bind them affirm that the two countries are one entity and a single people adhering to national values and always striving to achieve integration across all sectors.