Premier’s initiative ushers in new phase of GCC-Asian cooperation

Manama, Oct. 12 (BNA): His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa’s participation in the Second Asian Cooperation Dialogue (ACD) Summit on behalf of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa has ushered in a new phase of constructive cooperation among Asian countries, "Al-Bilad" newspaper said. In an editorial in today’s issue, the daily said that HRH Premier masterminded the new phase thanks to his statesmanship and far-sighted vision. While heading the kingdom’s delegation to ACD Summit, HRH the Prime Minister conveyed a clear message to the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries and all officials, businessmen and media personnel in Bahrain that “we have to extend more bridges of cooperation with Asian countries,” the newspaper said, explaining that the message emanated from a great leader who is aware that the huge challenges and the increasing pressures can be overcome only through consolidating rapprochement among Asian countries. The editorial asserted that HRH the Prime Minister was keen to remove all obstacles that may face the process of Asian cooperation, so he launched a successful initiative thanks to which Saudi-Thai relations had gone back to normal. It emphasised that during his successful participation, HRH Premier stressed the importance of enhancing GCC-Asian relations, given the huge resources enjoyed by Asian countries, which makes them key players at the international arena, and called for the need to step up cooperation to ensure regional security and stability and confront laws, such as JASTA, that may undermine the immunity of states’ sovereignty.