Bahrain-EU parliamentary cooperation discussed

Brussels, Sept. 26 (BNA): Ambassador of Bahrain to Belgium and the Grand Duchess of Luxembourg and Head of Mission to the European Union, Dr. Bahia Jawad Al Jishi, has met Romain Strasser, Head of the Interfaith and Interreligious Activities Unit at the European People's Party in Brussels, Belgium. During the meeting, Dr. Bahia Al Jishi reviewed the initiatives of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa in the field of religious tolerance and peaceful co-existence, notably the Bahraini Declaration and launch of the King Hamad Global Centre for Peaceful Co-existence, pointing out that the move was at the core of His Majesty’s reform approach. She affirmed that the Kingdom of Bahrain is seeking to foster the culture of dialogue and coexistence among different religions as well as mutual respect among all social components at local and international levels. In this context, the ambassador stressed the need to discuss ways of developing cooperation between the Kingdom of Bahrain and the European Parliament to disseminate these principles and peace values. She also praised the stances of the European People's Party within the European Parliament and its close cooperation with the Kingdom, expressing the significance of consolidating this cooperation through mutual visits and activities. It is noteworthy that a delegation from the European People’s Party paid an official visit to the Kingdom of Bahrain in 2005 during which a statement underscoring the importance of holding an annual dialogue between the two parties to promote mutual understanding, tolerance and coexistence. Dr. Jishi expressed her aspirations for further cooperation with the European People's Party to propagate the message of peace that the Kingdom of Bahrain is keen on delivering to the world.