Foreign Minister participates in GCC-China ministerial meeting

Manama, Nov. 9 (BNA): Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, participated today in the joint virtual ministerial meeting between the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and the People’s Republic of China which was chaired by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the United Arab Emirates, Shaikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China, Wang Yi. The meeting was also attended by GCC Secretary General, Dr. Nayef Falah Al-Hajraf. At the outset of the meeting, their Highnesses and Excellencies, the GCC Foreign Ministers and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China expressed their condolences following the demise of the late Emir of the State of Kuwait, His Highness Shaikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, praising his relentless efforts and prominent role in enhancing joint Gulf action and promoting relations between the GCC and the People’s Republic of China and the world. The Minister of Foreign Affairs delivered a speech in which he expressed gratitude to his Chinese counterpart on his keenness on developing cooperation and promoting existing relations between the GCC member states and China in all fields He also underlined China’s prominent regional and international strategic role. Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani expressed the Kingdom of Bahrain's appreciation to the People's Republic of China for its positive stances towards Arab issues and keenness to establish peace and international security based on mutual respect and non-interference in the internal affairs of countries. In this regard, he appreciated China’s welcoming of the signing of the Abraham Accords between the United Arab Emirates, the Kingdom of Bahrain, and the State of Israel in September, hoping that this would be a step towards a comprehensive peace in the region by supporting direct negotiations between the Palestinians and Israelis to achieve the two-state solution. He also reiterated the Kingdom of Bahrain's firm stance on the principle of unified China and its sovereignty over all its lands and the Kingdom's support for the Belt and Road initiative. The Minister of Foreign Affairs stressed the importance to continue strengthening and developing relations between GCC states and the People's Republic of China in various fields. He praised the tremendous efforts made by China to combat Coronavirus (COVID-19) and its advanced stages in trying to reach a vaccine for the virus. He also hailed close cooperation between the GCC and China in this regard to ensure the health and well-being of people and combat this pandemic and its repercussions that affected various aspects of life. In this context, he noted that the Kingdom of Bahrain, in its efforts to face the pandemic, has given priority to protecting the health and well-being of all its citizens and residents by launching a comprehensive plan of precautionary and preventive measures, including protection and high-quality health care for all. Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani also underscored the Kingdom’s aspirations to continue discussing and strengthening the foundations of joint cooperation between the GCC and the People's Republic of China, as well as exchanging views and coordinating stances on regional and international issues of common interest. During the meeting, the attendees reviewed distinguished relations of friendship and cooperation between the GCC countries and China and discussed means of enhancing cooperation in various fields. They also spotlighted recent regional and international developments and means of overcoming challenges facing the region and the world.