Foreign Minister participates in 6th CICA ministerial meeting

Nur-Sultan, Oct. 12 (BNA): Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al-Zayani, participated in the sixth Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA) Ministerial Meeting, which started today in the Republic of Kazakhstan, under the patronage of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev of Kazakhstan, chaired by the Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan, Akan Rakhmetullin, and in the presence of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of CICA member states, and the participation of CICA Executive Director, Kairat Sarybay. At the opening session of the meeting, the Foreign Minister delivered the following statement: “The past 18 months have once again highlighted the vital role of regional and international cooperation, and the critical importance of working together to address common challenges – whether they be longstanding issues of immediate crises. Indeed, recent years have demonstrated beyond any doubt that, in an increasingly complex and interconnected world, genuine and sustainable security and development is only possible by working together with regional friends and partners. For the Kingdom of Bahrain, this period has also reaffirmed the longstanding principles and values which guide our policies – values which have always been part of our Bahraini culture, and which have been given renewed momentum by the vision of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa. Foremost among these are the importance of coexistence, dialogue and mutual respect as the essential foundations of relations between states and peoples, and the bedrock of enduring peace, security and prosperity. That is why Bahrain believes in the importance of regional forums such as CICA, because we are convinced that they are ideal venues to put these principles into practice, and to demonstrate the value of genuine regional cooperation in bringing real, practical benefits to Asia’s countries and peoples. It is why, for example, Bahrain will shortly assume the Chair of the Asia Cooperation Dialogue, providing further opportunities to bring our region closer together, while recognising the unique strengths of each of these forums. We in Bahrain are convinced of Asia’s potential, its diverse and abundant resources, its dynamic and resourceful peoples, its technical expertise combined with its rich heritage and culture. We are convinced, also, that by harnessing this potential through greater contacts and cooperation, we can enhance all our lives – bringing genuine security, lasting prosperity, and real opportunity for all our peoples. The Kingdom of Bahrain appreciates and fully supports CICA as a valuable platform for mutually-beneficial interaction between states in our region, and an important venue for enhancing our individual and collective security, as well as for promoting peace and stability across Asia. I therefore welcome the participation of so many member states and observers here today, and I would like to thank the CICA Executive Director and the Secretariat for their extensive preparations for this meeting, and I am confident that with the adoption of the various documents and decisions today, we will be contributing substantially to advancing the work of CICA and to achieving our shared goals.”