Foreign Minister meets with Belgian Deputy Prime Minister

Brussels, Jul. 14 (BNA): Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, Minister of Foreign Affairs, met with Maxime Prévot, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, European Affairs and Development Cooperation of the Kingdom of Belgium, on the sidelines of the GCC–EU Regional Security and Cooperation Forum.

The meeting reviewed the bilateral ties between Bahrain and Belgium and explored means to further strengthen bilateral cooperation across areas of mutual interest.

The two ministers also exchanged views on regional developments, including the implications of the recent Iranian attacks against Bahrain, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states, and other countries in the region, as well as the impact of the closure of the Strait of Hormuz on international shipping, global trade, the world economy, energy and food supplies, and regional security and stability.

Dr. Al Zayani and Minister Prévot reaffirmed their condemnation of the recent attacks against the GCC member states, expressed solidarity with the affected countries and seafarers, and stressed that the Strait of Hormuz must remain open to international navigation.  They also underscored that no state should control the Strait or impose transit fees, while welcoming the close partnership between Bahrain and Belgium.

The meeting was attended by Dr. Mohammed Ali Behzad, Ambassador to the Kingdom of Belgium and Head of Mission to the European Union.