HM the King hails Thai links

Manama, Apr.25(BNA): His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa today received, at Al-Sakhir Palace, Thai Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha, currently on an official visit to the Kingdom of Bahrain. His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al-Khalifa and His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al-Khalifa, Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Premier attended. Premier Chan-o-cha conveyed to HM the King greetings from Thai King Maha Vajiralongkorn and his wishes to the people of Bahrain of further progress and prosperity. HM the King also extended greetings to the Thai monarch, wishing his friendly people further progress and prosperity. He commended the Thai Premier's visit which, he said, would represent a fresh start to strengthen solid bilateral relations, hailing his dedicated efforts to strengthen joint cooperation. The King and the Premier reviewed ways of expanding economic, trade, investment, cultural and tourism cooperation, under the joint agreements and memoranda of understanding. He reiterated Bahrain's keenness on bolstering growing relations, looking forward to strengthening cooperation, expanding public-private partnership and exchanging expertise to develop all sectors. The two leaders affirmed joint keenness on expanding trade and investment cooperation and benefiting from expertise to support joint projects and programmes, whose windfall will benefit on both friendly peoples. HM the King stressed the importance of exchanging high-level visits between officials and businessmen to enhance joint cooperation towards achieving both countries' aspirations. He underscored the importance on boosting the volume of trade exchanges and developing relations between the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) states, particularly political, economic, investment and cultural ties. He underlined the common denominators between the GCC and ASEAN group, which belong to two strategic regions for international trade and global economy. HM the King commended Thai economic and tourism strides and positive role in Asia, lauding the contributions of the Thai expatriate community to Bahrain's development and progress. Support to regional and international efforts to maintain security and stability in the region and the world was also stressed. The Thai Premier expressed thanks to HM the King for the warm welcome and genuine hospitality, hailing the care the Thai community finds in Bahrain. He paid tribute to HM the King, hailing his keenness on strengthening bilateral relations on all levels. He reiterated his country's keenness on expanding cooperation towards achieving mutual interests in all fields, lauding Bahrain's economic strides.