HM King’s UN speech praised by Foreign Minister

Manama, Sept. 24 (BNA): Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, praised the wise contents of the lofty speech of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, which he delivered virtually before the United Nations General Assembly at its seventy-fifth session, held in New York City. He said the speech reflected the far-sighted vision and wisdom of His Majesty, and his usual keenness to confirm the positions of the Kingdom of Bahrain and its policies towards international issues and global challenges at all international forums. Dr. Zayani valued His Majesty the King’s affirmation in his speech that the Kingdom observes its international obligations with regard to the need to preserve the strength and stability of the international system and continue its role in achieving peace, and share UN vision on the importance of effective collective action to surmount all challenges and dangers. The Minister of Foreign Affairs said this is what the Kingdom of Bahrain has been doing since its accession to the United Nations in 1971, praising His Majesty’s call for the international community to put aside differences and strengthen areas of humanitarian solidarity, work united in the face of health threats brought about by the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, and to raise the future readiness of countries in the face of such risks by properly vaccinating societies. He said His Majesty had affirmed the Kingdom of Bahrain's keenness, since the first moments of the outbreak of the pandemic, to extend a helping hand and adopt solidarity and coordination with the countries of the world and specialised agencies, such as the World Health Organisation, to collectively overcome the difficult circumstances. Dr. Zayani appreciated and took pride in His Majesty’s announcement of the establishment of relations with Israel out of concern for the security and stability of the region, and as an embodiment of His Majesty's firm approach to openness and coexistence with all. It is, he said, a civilised message, too, confirming that the hands of the Kingdom of Bahrain are extended for a just and comprehensive peace as this is the best guarantor of a secure future for all peoples of the region. The Minister of Foreign Affairs praised His Majesty the King’s call to intensify efforts to end the Palestinian-Israeli conflict in accordance with the two-state solution to be an essential starting point for a just and comprehensive peace that would lead to the establishment of an independent Palestinian state, with East Jerusalem as its capital, based on international legitimacy resolutions and the Arab Peace Initiative. This is alone would enable us to form a new stage of action in which we extend bridges of good neighbourly relations to build and develop the common interests of the countries of the region, he quoted His Majesty as saying. Dr. Zayani said His Majesty the King affirmed at this international forum Bahrain’s appreciation of the pioneering and tireless work of the sisterly Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, under the leadership of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, in laying the foundations for security and peace in the region and the whole world. He also noted HM the King’s emphasis on the Kingdom of Bahrain's full support for the continuous efforts of the brotherly Arab Republic of Egypt under the leadership of President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi to consolidate regional security and stability, and contribute to the rebuilding of capabilities of the countries of the region, based on Egypt's pioneering role in protecting and preserving Arab national security. Dr. Zayani noted the belief of His Majesty the King in the active and constructive role of both brotherly countries, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Arab Republic of Egypt, to protect Arab national security, defend the supreme interests of the Arab countries and their brotherly peoples, and preserve the security and stability of the region.