HRH Crown Prince Mohamed bin Salman and HRH Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad chair the Saudi-Bahraini Coordination Council

Manama, Dec.24 (BNA): His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Bahrain, today co-chaired a meeting of the Saudi-BahrainiCoordination Council, held remotely. HRH Prince Mohammed bin Salman highlighted the strength of historic ties between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Kingdom of Bahrain and extended his congratulations on HRH Prince Salman bin Hamad’s appointment as Prime Minister, wishing HRH further success in implementing the Bahrain Economic Vision 2030 and enhancing the Kingdom’s economic growth and prosperity. HRH Prince Mohammed bin Salman welcomed the establishment of the Council, and its role in further strengthening bilateral relations. HRH Prince Mohammed bin Salman highlighted that the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and HM King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa continue to support developing comprehensive ties across all sectors. In this regard, HRH Prince Mohammed bin Salman noted that the Council will deepen cooperation across many areas including; political, economic, security, military, investment, developmental and cultural, pursuing common interests in accordance with the aspirations of the respective leaderships and peoples. HRH Prince Mohammed bin Salman further expressed his gratitude for the close coordination between the two countries on regional and international issues, together facing the challenges presented within the region and preserving the interests, security and stability of the two Kingdoms. HRH Prince Mohammed bin Salman expressed his confidence that the Council’s first meeting, in which the organizational procedures for the work of the Council will be approved, will pave the way for successful outcomes and productive future meetings. HRH Prince Mohammed bin Salman expressed gratitude for HRH Prince Salman bin Hamad and Their Excellencies, members of the Council, for the work undertaken in preparation of the first meeting. In a speech delivered by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, His Royal Highness highly commended the directives of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, which elevate the level of representation in the Saudi-Bahraini Coordination Council, noting that HM King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa welcomed the decision, which reflects the depth of support and commitment to further enhance relations and cooperation between the Kingdom of Bahrain and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. HRH Prince Salman bin Hamad noted that these directives reflect the great value attached by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and HM King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa to the special status of ever-deepening Saudi-Bahraini relations. HRH extended his thanks to HRH Prince Mohamed bin Salman, emphasising his central role in advancing the multifaceted bilateral links between the Kingdoms, to secure further mutual progress and prosperity for both countries and their peoples. HRH added; “Today, we build on our historic ties and celebrate the majesty of both nations. These enduring ties have withstood time and we pay tribute to our grandfathers who settled the foundations of sustainable development, cooperation and coordination between our Kingdoms. The establishment of the Saudi-Bahraini Coordination Council will shape united prosperous futures for both nations. HRH further remarked; “We will continue to work closely, side-by-side, to guarantee that our economies remain competitive, fair and open, creating a shared social and economic environment in which innovation creates opportunities of the future for all.” HRH then expressed his best wishes that the Council will enjoy success in realising further achievements for both Kingdoms. During the meeting, the Council’s agenda items and priorities were reviewed, and the following decisions were taken: The formation of the following Sub-Committees to progress the Council’s initiatives: Political Coordination Committee Security Coordination Committee Coordination Committee in the fields of Economy, Energy, Trade and Industry Coordination Committee in the fields of Culture, Media, Tourism and Social Development Coordination Committee in the fields of Investment, Environment and Infrastructure. The following joint statement was issued after at the close of the meeting: “Within the framework of the solid fraternal and historical relations that bind the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Kingdom of Bahrain and their two brotherly peoples and based on the directives of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa of the Kingdom of Bahrain, the first meeting of the Saudi-Bahraini Coordination Council is held under co-chairmanship of His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense, and Crown Prince and Prime Minister Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa of the Kingdom of Bahrain. The meeting was attended by the Saudi side including Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Minister of Interior; Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, Minister of Foreign Affairs; Dr. Essam bin Saad bin Saeed, Minister of the State and Member of the Cabinet; Dr. Majed bin Abdullah Al-Qasabi, Acting Minister of Media; Eng. Khalid bin Abdulaziz Al-Falih, Minister of Investment, and Mohammed bin Abdullah Al-Jadaan, Minister of Finance and Acting Minister of Economy and Planning. On the Bahraini side in attendance were, HE General Shaikh Rashid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, the Minister of Interior, HE Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, Minister of Foreign Affairs, HE Shaikh Salman bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, the Minister of Finance and National Economy, HE Kamal bin Ahmed Mohammed, the Minister of Transportation and Telecommunication, HE Zayed R. Alzayani, Minister of Industry, Commerce and Tourism, HE Ayman bin Tawfiq Al-Moayad, Minister of Youth and Sports Affairs, and HE Hamad bin Faisal Al Malki, President of the Prime Minister’s Court, and Secretary General of the Cabinet. HRH Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and HRH Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa affirmed the great keenness of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa of the Kingdom of Bahrain of consolidating the relations between the two countries in the various political, security, economic, commercial, investment, cultural and tourism fields. They also affirmed that the solid bonds between the two brotherly countries are based on solid historical foundations, adding that the two countries will continue this approach to establish a bright future for more developmental achievements and prosperity of the two brotherly countries. During the meeting, the organizational procedures for the council’s work were approved while the council’s sub-committees were formed; Political Coordination Committee, Security Coordination Committee, Coordination Committee in the fields of Economy, Energy, Trade and Industry, Coordination Committee in the fields of Culture, Media, Tourism and Social Development, and Coordination Committee in the fields of Investment, Environment and Infrastructure. The two sides look forward to the council's upcoming meetings to establish a common vision for strengthening and deepening relations between the two countries in all fields in order to achieve the two wise leaderships' aspirations of enhancing security and stability and supporting the development and economic process in the two brotherly countries.”