Cabinet hails National Day celebrations, GCC summit outcome

Manama, Dec. 12 (BNA): The Cabinet has extended deepest congratulations to His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and the people of Bahrain marking the Kingdom's celebrations of the anniversary of the establishment of the modern state of Bahrain as an Arab and Muslim country in 1783 by its founder Ahmed Al-Fateh, the 45th Anniversary of its accession to the UN as a full member and the 17th Anniversary of HM the King’s Accession to the Throne. Chairing the Cabinet session at the Gudaibiya Palace today, His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa described the auspicious national occasions as milestones in the history of a nation whose honourable development is rich with generous and landmark achievements. The leadership and the people have elevated the Kingdom's political, economic and social status at various gatherings, the Premier said, adding that the Bahrain's democratic achievements, as well as political and civil rights gains consolidated by solid executive, legislative and judicial establishments, have enhanced Bahrain's progress during the prosperous era of HM King Hamad. He affirmed that the progress boom currently witnessed by the Kingdom in various fields stems from the Bahraini citizens, which, he said, requires Bahrainis to be more cohesive and united in order to maintain the national gains and carry on building the nation, noting that the anniversary of HM King Hamad's Accession to the Throne will remain a turning point in the kingdom's national progress, the Secretary-General of the Cabinet Dr. Yaser bin Essa Al-Nasser said in a post-session statement. HRH the Prime Minister welcomed the positive outcomes of the 37th Summit of the Supreme Council of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), hosted recently by the Kingdom, describing the summit as constructive and fruitful in its economic results, as well as firm and decisive in its security and military stances. HM the King's sound chairmanship of 37th GCC Summit was a major success factor, and entitled it to be among the most successful GCC summits in history, the Prime Minister said, noting that the resolutions of the Bahrain summit will contribute to enhancing and consolidating the joint GCC action and achieving the aspirations of the GCC peoples. While reviewing the results of the GCC Summit, especially at security, military and political levels, highlighted in the report presented by the Foreign Affairs Minister, the session stressed that the summit's call for combating terrorism, resolving regional problems, rejecting foreign interference in the member states' domestic affairs and for consolidating joint GCC action will lay a solid foundation for keeping the region away from conflicts and strengthening its security and stability. The Cabinet lauded the fruitful outcomes of HM King Hamad's talks with the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saudi during King Salman's state visit to Bahrain. In this regard, HRH the Prime Minister affirmed that gracious official and popular welcome accorded to King Salman during his successful visit embodies the strength of the solid relations between the brotherly countries, and the pride of Bahrain's King, government and people in the Saudi monarch. The session also welcomed the results of the GCC-UK summit, held between GCC leaders and the British Prime Minister Theresa May, valuing highly Britain's "positive strategic vision" to enhance its relations and cooperation with the GCC countries. The Cabinet highlighted the importance of the topics discussed during the 12th IISS Manama Dialogue, noting that they will contribute to reaching common grounds on regional security and stability issues. The high-profile participation in the Manama Dialogue greatly helps in unifying visions vis-à-vis the issues and challenges facing the region, the session said, commending the efforts exerted by the Foreign Ministry –Minister and personnel- for their good preparation and organisation of the crucial international event. Referring to the Commemoration Day, observed on December 17, the session recalled with appreciation and pride the sacrifices made by the martyrs who lost their lives while defending the nation, the right and legitimacy. The Cabinet emphasised that the Commemoration Day is an auspicious national occasion that embodies the values of fidelity to, and pride in, the martyrs of the nation who sacrificed their lives while defending the nation, stressing that the occasion re-affirms that Bahrain will never forget its citizens who lose their lives for the sake of the homeland's progress, security and stability. The Cabinet then saluted Bahraini policemen marking the Bahrain Police Day, lauding their key role in maintaining security and stability and protecting lives and property. The session hailed the efforts of policemen in preserving Bahrain's status as an oasis of security and stability, and extended sincere congratulations to the Interior Ministry and its personnel for their commendable efforts in protecting the nation and its gains on the Bahrain Police Day. On economy, the session praised the importance of the Islamic banking sector in the banking system in general, and urged to provide all facilities that are required to boost Islamic banking in kingdom, as well as hold more conferences, forums and events to consolidate its role, praising, in this context, the Islamic Banking Conference (WIBC 2016), held recently under HRH Premier's patronage, and opened on his behalf by his advisor, Shaikh Salman bin Khalifa Al Khalifa. Tackling development issues, HRH the Prime Minister directed to complete the infrastructure, housing, facilities and roads services for the Qalali, Samaheej and Al-Dair villagers. He also instructed to finalise the revamp of the avenues linking these region, including Raya Avenue. The session strongly condemned the terror bombings that targeted a Coptic church in Cairo, and the terrorist act that targeted a check-point in Giza, stressing they are heinous terror attacks that are rejected by the Islamic religion, other divine religions and human values. The Cabinet reiterated Bahrain's full-fledged support to brotherly Egypt and its backing of all measures it deems necessary to safeguard its security and stability, voicing confidence in the ability of the united Egyptian people in thwarting desperate attempts to undermine its national unity. The Cabinet also condemned the terror blasts in Istanbul, Turkey, reiterating Bahrain's solidarity with brotherly Turkey and rejection of all terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. The Cabinet requested all ministries and government departments to notify the Ministry of Foreign Affairs before preparing any agreements, conventions and memoranda of understanding with any foreign country or regional or international organisation. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs was also requested to submit periodic reports to the Cabinet on the implementation of the agreements, conventions and memoranda of understanding signed between Bahrain and other countries or international organisations. According to a memoranda presented by the Cabinet Affairs Minister and the National Committee for Information Chairman, the same ministry was also requested to activate an electronic system linking it to all government departments, including updated information on the progress of the implementation of agreements and memoranda of understanding, as part of the duties of the Foreign Ministry within the National Committee for Information. The session also approved three draft laws and decided to take the necessary constitutional and legal procedures to refer them to the parliament. Highlighted in the memorandum presented by the Deputy Premier and Chairman of the Ministerial Committee for Legal Affairs, they included bills on Bahrain's ratification of the Protocol Supplementary for the Convention for the Suppression of Unlawful Seizure of Aircraft, the Convention on Compensation for Damage to Third Parties, Resulting from Acts of Unlawful Interference Involving Aircraft, and the Convention on Compensation for Damage Caused by Aircraft to Third Parties. On education, the session endorsed a memorandum of understanding signed between the Education and Training Quality Authority (BQA) and the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA), and requested the relevant sides to take the necessary procedures. The session also approved the government's reply regarding a proposal to build an events hall in the new Sadad area, as highlighted in the memorandum presented by the Deputy Premier and Chairman of the Ministerial Committee for Legal Affairs.