HM the King receives senior Manama Dialogue participants

Manama, Nov.20 (BNA): His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa received today, at Sakhir Palace, senior participants in the 17th Manama Dialogue, organized by the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) in cooperation with the Foreign Ministry. HM the King delivered a speech welcoming the distinguished participants in the forum, highlighting the outbreak of the worst pandemic in modern history, which hit the world over the past two years, challenging all countries regardless of their size, wealth or resources. He expressed pride in Bahrain’s success in overcoming the pandemic during its worst surges, lauding the National Medical Taskforce for Combating COVID-19, led by His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and Prime Minister. He highlighted the international acclaim of Bahrain’s efforts which made the Kingdom share its approach with other countries, welcoming any opportunity to exchange practices with friends all over the world. HM the King said that the Middle East, which is a highly-important region in the world, continues to be threatened in its security and stability, amid mounting challenges. He stressed the crucial importance of achieving security and stability, conducive to peace, the cornerstone of progress, development and trade. He highlighted the need to ensure regional maritime security against any hostile actions, and to protect the freedom of navigation and commercial sea routes that serve the entire global economy. He reiterated Bahrain’s firm commitment to peace, dialogue and coexistence, as stipulated recently in the Abraham Accords, adding that these historic agreements embody “our principled and courageous approach to achieving peace as the supreme goal of our region and all its peoples”. He described the GCC countries as the cornerstone of stability, stressed the vital importance of their unity as a source of strength for all stakeholders in the region and abroad. He affirmed Bahrain’s commitment to opening channels of communication to settle any stalled issues. He valued the role of Manama Dialogue, organized by International Institute of Strategic Studies (IISS), being a key regional platform to exchange viewpoints and visions on consolidating regional security. HM the King valued the large participation, welcoming participants in Bahrain and wishing them every success in the 2021 Manama Dialogue. HM the King hosted a dinner banquet in honour of senior participants in Manama Dialogue. He held talks with the attendees about the importance of the conference and its agenda, which shows that the dialogue is the most viable way to protect regional security and stability.