Foreign Minister participates in Brazil & Arab Countries Economic Forum

Manama, Oct. 20 (BNA): Foreign Affairs Minister Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, participated in the Economic Forum Brazil & Arab Countries which was held virtually under the patronage and presence of the Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro. League of Arab States and Arab Chambers of Commerce and a number of experts and businessmen from both sides, were present. The minister expressed his appreciation to President Jair Bolsonaro for organizing the forum to strengthen cooperation between Arab countries and Brazil, especially in the current circumstances facing the international community due to COVID-19. He indicated how this pandemic has reinforced the importance of international cooperation, stressing that the world must realize that common prosperity based on mutual interest and interdependence is key, and that trade and economic cooperation is gaining strategic importance especially during these times. Dr. Al- Zayani also stressed that principles of dialogue, cooperation and engagement have always been among the core principles guiding of Bahrain’s policies, based on the vision of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, highlighting the recent signing of the historic Declaration in Support of Peace between Bahrain and Israel that led to establishing diplomatic relations and the other agreements signed yesterday. The minister noted how the Kingdom is confident that this can be a first step towards a new reality for the Middle East, one based on cooperation not confrontation, on engagement not antagonism, highlighting how it gives new momentum towards resolving the Palestinian-Israeli conflict that has blighted the region for too many decades, and opens the door to a prosperous, peaceful and stable region for all its peoples. He also highlighted how Arab and Brazilian businesses will be at the forefront of seizing these opportunities, with the Kingdom’s full backing to enhance international cooperation in facing various global challenges, including the Covid-19 pandemic Minister Al-Zayani affirmed that these current circumstances will act as a driving force towards finding more avenues for cooperation and to build even stronger networks of cooperation and opportunity between entrepreneurs, companies and private sectors, stressing that Bahrain supports all efforts aimed at achieving global solidarity and uniting capabilities to meet all global challenges.