Council of Representatives, Group of Friends of the Kingdom of Bahrain in European Parliament hold meeting

Manama, Dec. 3 (BNA): The Council of Representatives hosted a virtual meeting with the Group of Friends of the Kingdom of Bahrain in the European Parliament to consolidate parliamentary relations with other countries and activate the role of parliamentary diplomacy. The meeting focused on Bahraini-European relations and the joint parliamentary prospects and aspirations in light of the Covid-19 pandemic and beyond. Mohammed Ibrahim Al Sisi Al Buainain, Chairman of the Committee for Foreign Affairs, Defense and National Security, Ali Ishaqi, Deputy Chairman of the Financial and Economic Affairs Committee, and Fatima Al Qatari, member of the Public Utilities and Environment Committee participated from Bahrain. Tomáš Zdechovský, head of the Bahraini Friendship Group in the European Parliament, participated from the European Parliament in the meeting attended by Dr. Bahia Jawad Al Jishi, Bahrain's Ambassador to Belgium, Denmark, Luxembourg, the European Union and NATO. A research paper on areas of cooperation and exchange of experiences between the two sides in dealing with the repercussions of the pandemic and its aftermath was delivered by Al Sisi Al Buainain. Ishaqi focused on the role of parliaments in supporting national efforts in dealing with the Covid-19 pandemic while Al Qatari highlighted future cooperation between the Bahraini parliament and the European Parliament. Al Sisi Al Buainain said that the Kingdom in the prosperous era of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa has attached great importance to human rights and has set up regulations and rules to preserve the rights of citizens facing legal action to fair trials. Many institutions and committees specialized in combating discrimination and trafficking in persons have also been set up, he added. The lawmaker said Bahrain is currently working on finalizing the national strategy for human rights and stressed that the way the Kingdom has been combating the coronavirus and supporting citizens and residents, regardless of their religion, race, or nationality, is a practical example of HM the King's care about people and their wellbeing. Ishaqi noted that the Council of Representatives agreed to provide generous material support to the "Fina Khair" campaign launched by His Highness Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Representative of HM the King for Humanitarian work and Youth Affairs, to support all people in Bahrain affected by COVID-19 without discrimination. Zdechovský stressed the importance of discussing areas of cooperation and exchanging experiences between the two sides in dealing with the pandemic and its aftermath. He said he appreciated efforts of Bahrain's leadership, government and people in facing the repercussions of the pandemic and called for wider cooperation between the two sides in various fields in the future. The establishment of the “Group of Friends of the Kingdom of Bahrain" in the European Parliament aims to activate the role of the Kingdom in the European Parliament at regional and European levels, within the framework of bilateral cooperation and consultation and in consonance with Bahrain’s transparency and open-door policies.