First Deputy Speaker receives EU special representative for Gulf region

Manama, Aug. 21 (BNA): Abdulnabi Salman, First Deputy Speaker of the Council of Representatives, received Luigi Di Maio, Special Representative of the European Union (EU) for the Gulf Region.

The first deputy speaker affirmed that the royal directives of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa supported the strategic relations between Bahrain and the EU which is witnessing remarkable growth.

He also emphasised supporting cooperation on all levels; politics, security, economics, and others, and continuing to work to develop ties and joint work projects.

The first deputy praised the contents of the annual report of the EU on human rights and democracy 2022, commending Bahrain's achievements in the human rights file.

He highlighted these achievements, such as the establishment of the National Institution for Human Rights (NIHR) and the Ombudsman, The Prisoners and Detainees Rights Commission (PDRC), the transfer of responsibility for providing health care to inmates of correctional centres from the Ministry of Interior to the Ministry of Health, and amendments aimed at expanding the application of the alternative punishment program.

Di Maio praised Bahrain's influential position on an international level and its comprehensive development on all levels.