Undersecretary stresses importance of strengthening Bahrain-EU cooperation

Manama, Oct. 27 (BNA): Undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for International Affairs, Dr. Shaikh Abdullah bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, met the delegation of the European Union, led by the Deputy Secretary General for Political Affairs - Political Director for the European External Action Service, Jean-Christophe BELLIARD, on the sidelines of the 14th Manama Dialogue. Dr. Shaikh Abdullah valued the strong relations of friendship between the two sides in the framework of enhancing mutual cooperation and exchanging views on regional and international developments. The Undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs noted that the continuation of consultations and meetings reflects the deep ties between the Kingdom of Bahrain and European Union in the political, economic, security and civilisational fields. He affirmed the keenness to develop these relations in light of the mutual understanding between the two sides and the European Union's appreciation of the stances of the Kingdom of Bahrain at the international level as well as its achievements. Dr. Shaikh Abdullah bin Ahmed Al Khalifa expressed the aspiration of the Kingdom of Bahrain to activate partnership with the European Union, as Bahrain is an active member in the political and security dialogue between the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and the European Union, as it is also a member in joint bilateral and collective meetings. The undersecretary reviewed the most important achievements of the Kingdom of Bahrain in various fields of reform and sustainable development, thanks to the comprehensive reform approach of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa. He noted that a new achievement will be added to the Kingdom’s democratic record with the upcoming elections next month, adding that the government provides all facilitations to ensure the transparency and success of the election process. Dr. Shaikh Abdullah highlighted the efforts of the Kingdom of Bahrain to establish security and stability in the Middle East and to combat the threat of terrorism in accordance with international treaties and conventions, stressing that security and development are inseparable. He added that to achieve that purpose, the international community must work together, noting in this regard the "Manama Declaration on Combating the Financing of Terrorism” which was issued on November 2014. He stated that the Kingdom of Bahrain adopts a comprehensive system to combat extremism and terrorism, in which security, development, human rights and culture come together against hatred speech, intolerance and racism. This comes in line with the royal initiatives to reinforce the Kingdom’s record in the field of tolerance and coexistence. Dr. Shaikh Abdullah said that the nuclear agreement with Iran was characterised by many shortcomings, notably the failure to address Iran's ballistic missile programme and its threat to the security and stability of the region by intervening in the affairs of other states and supporting militias and terrorist groups. He called upon the European Union to consider the issues of peace and security in the region similar to the United States of America. The delegation of the European Union noted the development in its relations with the Kingdom of Bahrain, stressing the need to enhance cooperation between the two sides to achieve international peace and security, wishing the Kingdom of Bahrain further progress and development.