Cabinet hails solid Bahrain-UK ties

Manama, Oct. 31 (BNA): The fruitful outcomes of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa's visit to the United Kingdom have been lauded by His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa. HM the King's meetings and talks with Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and with Prime Minister Theresa May embodied the depth of the outstanding relations between the two friendly kingdoms, and the strength of cooperation between them, HRH the Prime Minister said while chairing the regular weekly Cabinet session at the Gudaibiya Palace today. In this regard, the Cabinet lauded the solid long-standing bilateral relations which the two friendly countries celebrate their 200th anniversary this year, affirming Bahrain’s keenness on bolstering its cooperation with the UK in various fields, a post session statement by the Cabinet Secretary-General, Dr. Yaser bin Essa Al-Nasser, said. HRH Premier voiced deep pride in the good feelings expressed by citizens and officials after he was awarded the Grand Star in Gold of the Austrian Order of Merit for Protecting / Upholding Traditions and Values by the Royal Habsburg family and the Hollabrunn City Council in recognition of his efforts to support charities and to advocate peace as well as his humanitarian activities. The Prime Minister extended thanks and appreciation to all the well-wishers for their sentiments, stressing that any appreciation of the kingdom's achievements is a praise to the people of Bahrain in recognition of the clear contributions of the citizens to every national accomplishment. The session strongly condemned the targeting of the holy city of Makkah by the coup militias in Yemen, stressing that the heinous criminal act, which has been foiled thanks to the vigilance and bravery of the forces of the Saudi-led Arab Coalition, has provoked deep outrage among Muslims. The Cabinet emphasised that the despicable crime, which been widely denounced by Muslims all over the world, is a flagrant encroachment upon Islamic and human values for it transgressed all boundaries and sanctities. The Cabinet called for adopting a unified firm Islamic stance against the perpetrators of the criminal attack and those behind it. The session reiterated the Kingdom's full-fledged support to all efforts exerted by Saudi Arabia to combat terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. HRH Premier reviewed the work progress in housing projects, and directed to adopt a more comprehensive vision while planning and designing new cities. This can be done through the provision of green spaces and recreational facilities that attract families and serve the residents there, he said. Regarding the housing projects being implemented in villages, the Prime Minister issued instructions to preserve the social fabric there and give priority to local residents. In this regard, HRH Premier was informed about the efforts to meet the housing needs of Damistan citizens from the Al-Lawzi Housing project, and devote the units of the Tubli Housing Project to Tubli citizens. The Prime Minister also requested the Ministry of Housing to allocate housing units to Bilad Al-Qadeem and Zenj villagers from nearby projects. On efforts to reduce government expenditure, the Cabinet said that ministers should participate in external events that benefit the Kingdom directly; otherwise, the kingdom's representation should be lower to reduce expenses and ensure optimum advantages of the meetings and events in which ministers take part. HRH the Prime Minister praised the outstanding results attained by Bahraini participants in the Arab Reading Challenge (ARC), hosted by UAE recently. Commenting on a report presented by the Minister of Education on the Kingdom's participation in ARC, HRH Premier congratulated the winners, and thanked the minister and the Education Ministry's officials and affiliates for their efforts. Reviewing the memoranda on its agenda, the session discussed rationalising energy consumption and taking advantage of renewable energy, particularly solar and wind power, and encouraging investment in them. It also discussed the use of renewable energy by specific proportions that should be reached in 2020. The session approved in principle the plan put forward by the Sustainable Energy Unit, established by the Cabinet in 2013, and requested the Ministerial Committee for Urbanisation and Infrastructure to follow up on the matter and take the international changes and developments in the field of energy into account. The scheme was highlighted in the presentation given by the Deputy Premier and Chairman of the Ministerial Committee for Urbanisation and Infrastructure, Shaikh Khalid bin Abdulla Al Khalifa, and the Electricity and Water Affairs Minister. The session endorsed and referred to the Legislative Branch a draft law on ratifying a Bahrain-Turkey protocol on amending and completing the Air Services Agreement signed between the two countries on October 26, 1998. The bill was presented by the Deputy Premier and Chairman of the Ministerial Committee for Legal Affairs, Jawad bin Salim Al-Arayyadh. The Cabinet endorsed an agreement on the avoidance of double taxation and its attached protocol, signed between Bahrain and Spain. The Minister of Finance was commissioned to sign the agreement on behalf of the Kingdom ahead of taking the required the necessary constitutional procedures to ratify it. The Cabinet also approved amending a draft law on psychological health, as highlighted in the memorandum presented by the Minister of Health. The Ministerial Committee for Legal Affairs was tasked with studying the amendments and taking the necessary legal and constitutional procedures towards them. The session approved the draft schedule of cooperation between Bahrain and the UAE in the field of youth for 2016-2018, and commissioned the Youth and Sport Affairs Minister to sign it on behalf of the Kingdom. The Cabinet discussed four proposals submitted by the Council of Representatives and approved the government’s replies to them, as recommended by the Ministerial Committee for Legal Affairs. The proposals were related to infrastructure of new housing projects, the age of the beneficiaries of the social housing project, municipal councils and end-of-year exams.