ID :
541182
Tue, 08/20/2019 - 23:00
Auther :

Bahrain-Singapore relations discussed

Singapore, Aug. 20 (BNA): The Senior Minister of State of the Ministry of Defence & Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Singapore, Dr. Mohamad Maliki Osman, met with Foreign Ministry Undersecretary for International Affairs, Dr. Shaikh Abdullah bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, on the sidelines of his official visit to the Republic of Singapore. At the beginning of the meeting, the Senior Minister of State welcomed Dr. Shaikh Abdullah and expressed his utmost pleasure with the progressive course of relations between the two friendly countries. The meeting also discussed means of advancing bilateral relations and enhancing cooperation. The two sides also exchanged views on the current regional and international developments. The Undersecretary for International Affairs stressed the Kingdom’s keenness to consolidate relations with the friendly Republic of Singapore to reach a comprehensive and effective partnership. He also added that a pivotal factor in the success of the two countries in terms of pioneering development and achieving a prosperity is through investing in people and qualifying national cadres, affirming that both countries share a common destiny. Dr. Shaikh Abdullah pointed out how Asia occupies an advanced position in the Kingdom of Bahrain, both bilaterally and at the level of enhancing understanding and friendship between the Gulf Cooperation Council and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). He also referred in this regard to His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa’s vision, which was presented to the GCC in 2009, to enhance Asian-Gulf relations in order to achieve mutual benefits. Dr. Shaikh Abdullah highlighted how the past three decades have witnessed outstanding development when it comes to maintaining a distinguished and close friendship between the Kingdom of Bahrain and the Republic of Singapore, following the official visits made by the two countries and the signing of cooperation agreements and advancing fields of renewable energy, entrepreneurship, banking, tourism various exhibitions, youth and sports and the provision of quality education and training. He also showcased the potential to elevate opportunities between both countries in linking investments and technologies to foreign markets in the Gulf and Southeast Asia and motivating the private sector in the field of digital economy. The Undersecretary also reviewed the Kingdom’s distinguished achievements, in light of the comprehensive reform approach led by His Majesty the King, as well as the Kingdom's success in establishing the rule of law and institutions and maintaining stability and sustainable development. He also exemplified how the Bahrain Economic Vision 2030 has been able to sustain an ideal economic environment. Dr. Shaikh Abdullah stressed the importance of combatting terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and drain its sources of funding, pointing out the dangerous role of some countries who sponsor terrorism and interfere in the internal affairs of regional countries, which utterly violates the principles of good-neighborliness and international conventions, as well as the importance of condemning all acts of piracy that threaten the safety of navigation and international trade and emphasize the importance of protecting the straits and sea lanes, in accordance with international law. The Undersecretary for International Affairs called for unifying efforts to address the problem of rising sea levels in the island countries because of climate change and global warming, warning of the negative repercussions resulting from those changes. Dr. Shaikh Abdullah also reviewed the Singapore Mediation Convention, which was recently signed, and allows States parties involved in international trade disputes to implement mediation-based settlements in their own courts. He commended in this regard the participation of the two friendly countries in security and economic events and forums organized at the national and continental levels, which reflects their keenness to enhance cooperation in achieving regional and international security and prosperity. For his part, the Senior Minister of State expressed his county’s delight to expand cooperation mechanisms with the Kingdom of Bahrain, praising the Kingdom's prestigious investment role. He also commended the initiatives of the Kingdom of Bahrain and its positive and constructive role to achieve peace and stability in the Middle East, affirming Singapore's constant follow-up on the Gulf region and its keenness to maintain its security and stability. (MOFA)

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