Bahrain, Tunisia discuss security cooperation

Manama, Jan. 23 (BNA): Interior Minister Lieutenant-General Shaikh Rashid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa received his Tunisian counterpart Hédi Majdoub, and the accompanying delegation, marking his official visit to Bahrain. The meeting was attended by senior Interior Ministry officials and Tunisian ambassador to Bahrain. Addressing a session of talks, Lt. Gen. Shaikh Rashid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa hailed strong and developing ties between the two countries, stressing the support and directives of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa and Tunisian President Beji Caid Essebsi for the best joint interests and reinforcement of cooperation and coordination, especially in security. "The visit is an opportunity to set a framework to activate the security cooperation agreement between the two countries which was signed here during the visit of the Tunisian President on 27 January 2016", he said. He valued the role of Tunisia in promoting Arab cooperation and good ties with the Arab world, as the capital of Tunisia hosts the headquarters of the General Secretariat of the Arab Interior Ministers Council. "Tunis also hosts the council’s meetings and the decisions and recommendations of those gatherings contribute to the reinforcement of Arab security cooperation, in which Bahrain chairs the current session of the council", he clarified. Lt. Gen. Shaikh Rashid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa said that he looks forward the next meeting which will be held in March in Tunisia. He hailed the counterterrorism efforts of Tunisia to promote civil peace and cooperation with various countries to fight this dangerous scourge. He said that Tunisia withstood the repercussions of the Arab spring through the wisdom of its leadership and awareness of its people. This has helped the country in reinforcing the justice and equality principles to achieve stability. At the end of his speech, Lt. Gen. Shaikh Rashid bin Abdullah Al-Khalifa expressed the best wishes to his Tunisian counterpart and for the visit to achieve its goals of enhancing security coordination and cooperation to serve security and stability in both countries. The meeting discussed security cooperation and coordination and means to develop them and topics of common interests. The two sides agreed to form a joint committee to set priorities for the activation of the security agreement. The Tunisian Interior Minister expressed thanks and appreciation to Lt. Gen. Shaikh Rashid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa for his hospitality, welcoming the opening of new joint cooperation horizons as part of the agreement. He wished Bahrain further progress, prosperity, security and stability. (MOI)