Bahraini-Italian Joint Committee holds first meeting
Rome, June 9 (BNA): Foreign Affairs Minister, Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al-Zayani, and Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Italy, Edmondo Cirelli, co-chaired the first meeting of the Bahraini-Italian Joint Committee.
Representatives of the ministries of Foreign Affairs, Industry and Commerce and Oil, in addition to the two countries' ambassadors, participated in the meeting.
Edmondo Cirelli welcomed Dr. Al-Zayani and his accompanying delegation, lauding the steady growth of the solid bilateral relations across various vital fields, affirming his country’s interest in broadening areas of joint cooperation with Bahrain, and taking advantage of the available opportunities to achieve common interests.
The Italian official stressed that holding the meeting of the joint committee would provide a platform to bolster bilateral cooperation and study the available opportunities, expressing hope that the joint meeting will come with positive outcomes that would serve the two countries’ interests.
Dr. Al-Zayani expressed delight at the convening of the first meeting of the joint ministerial committee to review the progress made in the fields of joint cooperation at all levels, as well as to discuss ways to strengthen the distinguished friendship relations between the two countries and develop bilateral cooperation in various vital fields.
He praised the good results achieved so far across various tracks of joint cooperation, noting that the opportunities for developing bilateral cooperation are promising and should be strengthened, especially in the economic, trade, investment and social fields, by activating the agreements concluded between the two countries in a way that would serve mutual interests, wishing Italy and its people continued progress and development.
The first meeting of the Bahraini-Italian Joint Committee discussed the path of bilateral cooperation in various sectors, including the development of economic cooperation, increasing trade exchange and investment opportunities in the two countries, in addition to expanding the areas of industrial, tourism, cultural, oil and environmental cooperation for the benefit of the two friendly countries and peoples.
Representatives of the participating ministries and institutions briefed the joint committee on the steps and projects that have been accomplished in accordance with the agreements concluded between the two countries, and the efforts being made to further bolster bilateral cooperation to serve joint interests.
The two sides affirmed their commitment to work closely to strengthen and expand their bilateral relations, and to continue building on the existing cooperation in various fields, including politics, economy, health, energy, culture, tourism, trade and investment.
They also expressed their desire to continue their close cooperation at regional and international gatherings, and to work together to end wars and conflicts in order to promote security, peace, stability and prosperity for all peoples.
The two sides also agreed to increase bilateral visits at the technical and political levels, as they are essential means to enhance fruitful cooperation between the two countries.
Regarding bilateral trade, they highlighted the opportunities available to further develop economic relations between the two countries, expressing their keenness to work together to expand bilateral trade and investments, facilitate business opportunities, and encourage the exchange of expertise and technology through foreign direct investment in Bahrain.
The participants agreed to develop a joint action plan that includes areas of cooperation between Italy and Bahrain during the next three years, including the main projects and the parties concerned with them, as well as establishing mechanisms to ensure follow-up, implementation and options for their continuous updating.
The kingdom will submit the first draft of the joint action plan to the Italian side for review, in preparation for its approval during the second meeting of the joint committee in Bahrain next year.
