Exemplary ties with Egypt praised

Manama, Jan. 22 (BNA): Ali bin Mohammed Al Romaihi the Minister of Information Affairs and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Bahrain Institute for Political Development (BIPD), has commended the exemplary Bahrain-Egypt ties. Speaking to the Middle East News Agency (MENA), Al Romaihi also commended continuous development of the bilateral ties in the political, societal, economic, media, cultural, security and military fields considered a model of joint Arab work based on the spirit of fraternity and mutual respect. He hailed the outcome of His Majesty the King's visit to Cairo last April, which was the fifth visit by His Majesty since President Abdel Fattah El Sisi was elected president, culminating in the signing of 19 memoranda of understanding (MOUs) and cooperation protocols in various fields. The minister stressed the diligence on boosting the media cooperation through the exchange of information, news, technical and technological expertise and joint coordination in fronting hostile media channels that incite hatred and terrorism. He reaffirmed the Kingdom of Bahrain's keenness on Egypt's security, stability, progress and assuming its pivotal and strategic role in standing alongside its brethren in supporting fair and just Arab and Islamic issues. He praised Egypt - and Al Azhar Al Sharif - for its lasting commitment to the security of the Arabian Gulf and to deter the blatant hostile Iranian interferences and emanating from the brotherly partnership on fighting extremism and terrorism and spreading the values of moderation, tolerance, and maintaining regional and international security and peace. And as regards the progress made by Bahrain in various fields, the minister cited the expansion of the freedoms of expression and opinion thanks to the democratic atmospheres provided by the reforms of His Majesty the King since the National Action Charter was launched in 2001 and the approval of constitutional and rights amendments that reflected in the flourishing of media freedoms via 22 daily or weekly newspapers, 38 monthly journals, 9 news websites and technical and professional developments resulting in the launch of Bahrain Television (BTV)'s new identity, transmission of five high-definition television (HD-TV) channels, 10 radio stations, establishing the National Communication Centre to boost communication with the local and foreign media, submitting to the Cabinet an enlightened modern bill of the Press & Electronic Media Law currently being studied before its referral to the legislative branch for further discussion and its approval in compliance with the applicable constitutional and legal instruments.