HM King conferred Lifetime Achievement Award

Washington, Sep. 27 (BNA): On behalf of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Shaikh Khalid bin Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Khalifa, has received from Former US Foreign Minister, Henry Kissinger, the Lifetime Achievement Award, bestowed on HM the King by US C3 Summit. It was granted to HM the King in recognition of his continued achievements and incessant efforts in all fields, notably in development, respect for religious pluralism in the Kingdom of Bahrain and his interest in bolstering Bahrain-US ties at all levels, making of them an exemplary model of relations among nations, based on strong and clear foundations. The minister conveyed, during the ceremony held on the occasion and attended by elite diplomats and media persons thanks from HM the King to those in charge of the C3 Summit, expressing pride in the significant award which aims to bolster bonds among countries and peoples. The minister said that His Majesty the King’s approach is based on the provision of all matters that could advance the status of Bahraini citizens and meliorate their life conditions through comprehensive economic development and first class social services. He emphasized HM’s determination to nurture the Bahraini community model that is open on all cultures, keen on respecting the freedom of faith and reinforcing the values of tolerance and peace. In his statement, the minister underlined the depth of relations linking the Kingdom of Bahrain and the United States that date back 120 years ago with the establishment of the American Mission Hospital in Bahrain, saying that bilateral relations remained ever since in constant progress at all levels, particularly in the economic, military and political areas. He said the US-Bahraini ties have underpinned common interests and become the main security-preserving factors in the region and that the trade relations were given a boost with the signing of the FTA in 2005, affirming Bahrain’s readiness to take all possible measures to open up new cooperation horizons for the two friendly people and countries. In another statement, Rabbi Arthur Schneier hailed the leadership of His Majesty the King and the achievements he has made on both internal and external levels, praising in particular His Majesty’s clear keenness on maintaining religious pluralism and promulgating tolerance values. Henry Kissinger lauded the important role of the Kingdom of Bahrain to preserve stability and security in the region and the world at this critical moment of history when the international community faces numerous huge challenges, topped by extremism and terrorism. He also praised the kingdom’s desire to bolster its varied ties with the USA and commended particularly the great accomplishments it has made such as its interest in creating hospitals and health institutions with first class services. The US C3 Summit seeks to bolster bilateral ties between the United States and the Arab countries and holds a number of activities and conferences in several cooperation areas, with focus on trade, and bestows its awards to the most influential personalities in each field.