HM King holds official talks with Israeli President

Manama, Dec. 4 (BNA): His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa received the President of the State of Israel, Isaac Herzog, in the presence of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, at the Gudaibiya Palace today. HM the King welcomed the Israeli President, expressing hope that the visit will contribute to enhancing relations between the two countries. An official reception was held for President Herzog, and the national anthems of the two countries were played. Then, HM the King held official talks with the Israeli President, in the presence of HRH the Crown Prince and Prime Minister. HM King Hamad delivered the following speech: "In the name of God, the most Merciful, the most Compassionate Your Excellency President Isaac Herzog, Distinguished guests, May the peace, mercy and blessings of God be upon you, We welcome your Excellency, Mr. President, and your accompanying delegation during your visit to the Kingdom of Bahrain, and we are confident that this visit has an important role in consolidating relations between our two countries, and supporting our common aspirations in terms of consolidating peace and sustainable development in the region and the world, and represents an opportunity for you to witness the beauty of the religious and cultural diversity in our country, and the spirit of friendliness, tolerance and peaceful coexistence among the members of our honorable society of all religions and races, reaffirming our belief in the values of peace, brotherhood and cooperation among human beings. We value and appreciate the developments witnessed in the relations between our two countries, since the signing of the Abraham Accords, and the Declaration in Support of Peace, which opens broader horizons for spreading the culture of peace and promoting security, stability and peace in the Middle East and the world. Your Excellency Mr. President, The Kingdom of Bahrain firmly believes that dialogue and a peaceful and civilized approach are imperative for settling regional and international conflicts and disputes, and ensuring the rights of people to security, development and prosperity, stressing our firm position in support of achieving a just, comprehensive and sustainable peace that guarantees the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people and that will lead to stability, development and prosperity for both the Palestinian and Israeli peoples, as well as all peoples of the region. Once again, we welcome you, Mr. President, and your accompanying delegation, and we look forward to fruitful outcomes that will contribute to the strengthening of relations and joint cooperation between our two countries, wishing you a pleasant stay." Then, Israeli President delivered the following speech: "You Majesty, This is a great moment, and I am proud to be here in the Kingdom of Bahrain. You are at the forefront of making history in the region where Jews and Muslims come together and advance together in peace. It is a long process, but it is not just a dream. As we see now, our two countries meet for peace. The Kingdom of Bahrain and the State of Israel are considered pioneers in achieving this goal, and agree with the rest of the countries that seek to achieve this. This is in the interest of our two countries and peoples, as well as in the interest of the countries and peoples of the region and the whole world, as well. Your Majesty, I am in the Kingdom of Bahrain accompanied by a delegation comprising elite representatives of the economic and trade sectors in Israel. We all look forward to working with the representatives of these sectors in the Kingdom of Bahrain. We also affirm our aspiration to work on strengthening relations between the people of Israel and the people of Bahrain. Thank you for your hospitality and welcome. We also appreciate and thank you for your friendship, which will further strengthen our relations for the benefit of our two peoples. Thank you." HM King Hamad and President Herzog discussed the Bahraini-Israeli relations, and ways to broaden bilateral cooperation to serve common interests and consolidate joint efforts to achieve security, stability and prosperity for the countries and peoples of the region. Talks between the two sides focused on ways to bolster cooperation in the economic, trade, investment, scientific, technical, health, educational, youth, tourism and cultural fields. They also discussed ways to encourage communication between the representatives of the private sector in the two countries, and the exchange of the visits of official delegations, which will contribute to increasing the volume of bilateral trade exchange for the best interest of the two sides. They also stressed the importance of activating the agreements and memoranda of understanding signed between the two countries in vital areas of common interest, as well as strengthening the role of the joint economic committees in advancing bilateral economic and trade cooperation, which would serve common interests. HM King Hamad and President Herzog affirmed that the Abraham Accords and the Declaration Supporting Peace signed between the two countries embody their determination to promote the values of peace, coexistence and fraternity, foster tolerance and coexistence among religions and beliefs, and consolidate joint action to build constructive and fruitful cooperation relations that would lead to achieving good, development, stability and prosperity for the best interests and benefit of the peoples of the region. While reviewing the latest regional and global developments challenges, HM King Hamad and the Israeli President stressed the need to continue exerting more efforts to confront regional challenges, protect the security and stability of the region, step up efforts to establish lasting peace and coexistence based on trust and mutual respect, as well as combat terrorism, extremism and violence for the benefit of the peoples of the region and the world. The Israeli President expressed thanks and appreciation to HM the King for the warm welcome and hospitality accorded to him. He also expressed appreciation for HM King Hamad's efforts to promote the values of peace, tolerance and coexistence among religions and faiths, as well as consolidate interfaith and inter-cultural dialogue, lauding the visit of His Holiness Pope Francis, the Pope of the Vatican to the kingdom, which, he said, reflects Bahrain's distinguished status at the global level. HM the King hosted a lunch banquet in honour of the Israeli President and his accompanying delegation. A Convoy of Honour, led by Foreign Affairs Minister, was formed to accompany the Israeli President during his stay in Bahrain.