Bahrain-Egypt affirm strong relations

Manama, Nov.11(BNA): The 10th session of the Joint Committee for Cooperation between the Kingdom of Bahrain and the Arab Republic of Egypt was held today, under the chairmanship of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Shaikh Khalid bin Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Khalifa, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Arab Republic of Egypt, Sameh Shoukry. The Minister of Foreign Affairs affirmed in his speech that the relations between the Kingdom of Bahrain and the brotherly Arab Republic of Egypt will continue to serve as a model for relations and cooperation between the two countries, pointing out that these relations are based on solid foundations and constant progress and prosperity in various fields. He also affirmed that these strong relations are reflected in the ongoing meetings between His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and the President of the Arab Republic of Egypt, President Abdel Fattah El Sisi. The Egyptian President’s most recent visit to the Kingdom of Bahrain was last August, in which the outcomes of their negotiations resulted in further expanding bilateral relations. The Minister of Foreign Affairs expressed his deep appreciation to the Arab Republic of Egypt for its ongoing efforts and its pivotal role in resolving Arab issues and serving their interests, as well as the development of Arab collective action, noting in particular its steadfast brotherly stances supporting the security, stability and prosperity of the Kingdom of Bahrain and its efforts to combat violence, extremism and terrorism. The Minister of Foreign Affairs also reiterated the Kingdom of Bahrain's firm stance in solidarity with the Arab Republic of Egypt in combatting terrorism and extremism, drying up its sources of funding and seeking to establish security and peace in the region as well as in facing various threats and risks. The Egyptian Minister of Foreign Affairs also expressed his thanks and appreciation to his Bahraini counterpart, Shaikh Khalid bin Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Khalifa and the delegation of the Bahraini side, for their warm welcome, hospitality and excellent organization of the meetings of the Joint High Committee, which reflects the long-standing historical relationship between the Kingdom of Bahrain and the Arab Republic of Egypt. The Egyptian Minister of Foreign Affairs stressed in his speech the depth of relations between the Kingdom of Bahrain and the Arab Republic of Egypt, which is a model to be followed based on values of respect and coordination in various international forums. He pointed out that cooperation between the two brotherly countries has recently proven to be solid and timely when it comes to facing challenges, such as regional interventions. He also affirmed that the Arab Gulf is an integral part of the security of the Arab Republic of Egypt, stressing that the Arab Republic of Egypt will not accept undermining the Kingdom of Bahrain’s security and stability. The Egyptian Minister of Foreign Affairs invited his Bahraini counterpart and members of the Committee from the Bahraini side to visit the Arab Republic of Egypt to hold the next session of the Committee. Shaikh Khalid bin Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Khalifa and Sameh Shoukry signed the minutes of the Joint High Committee meeting and a number of agreements and memorandums of understanding on various aspects of joint cooperation between the two countries. The meeting issued a joint statement, which reads as follows: Based on the brotherly relations between the Kingdom of Bahrain and the Arab Republic of Egypt and their peoples, and under the wise leadership of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and President Abdul Fattah El Sisi, the two countries are keen to strengthen and expand bilateral cooperation in all fields. Based on the approach of the two leaderships in the need to enhance coordination, consultation and exchange of visit, and the establishment of the results of the previous meetings of the Committee. In response to the kind invitation of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Bahrain, Shaikh Khalid bin Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Khalifa, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Arab Republic of Egypt, Sameh Shoukry, paid a visit to the Kingdom of Bahrain on Saturday and Sunday 10-11 November 2018. In an atmosphere of cordiality and brotherhood, which reflects the depth of the distinguished relations and shared desires between the two countries, the Bahraini-Egyptian Joint Committee held its 10th session on Saturday and Sunday, 10 and 11 November 2018, under the chairmanship of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Bahrain, Shaikh Khalid bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, and his Egyptian counterpart, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Arab Republic of Egypt, Sameh Shoukry, with the participation of a number of senior officials of the two brotherly countries. The two sides reviewed their distinguished bilateral relations in various fields and expressed their satisfaction with the positive results achieved in the framework of the meetings of the 9th session of the Joint Committee and the constructive steps taken by them in order to enhance bilateral cooperation and coordination and serve their common interests. The two sides also stressed the importance of enhancing their relations in various fields and taking constructive steps towards further development. Emphasizing the importance of continuing cooperation and activating it, the two sides signed a number of agreements, memorandums of understanding and executive programs, as follows: 1. Agreement on Cooperation in Customs Matters. 2. A visa exemption agreement for holders of diplomatic, special and service passports. 3. Memorandum of Understanding on the establishment of a Joint Committee for consular affairs. 4. Memorandum of Understanding in the field of electricity, water and renewable energy. 5. Memorandum of Understanding in the field of parliamentary cooperation for the governmental coordination bodies with the legislative authority. 6. Memorandum of Understanding in the field of cultural cooperation. 7. Executive program of the memorandum of understanding in the field of specifications and standards. 8. Executive Program for the years 2019-2020 for the exchange of experiences between the Ministry of Works, Municipalities Affairs & Urban Planning in the Kingdom of Bahrain and the Ministry of Agriculture and Land Reclamation in the Arab Republic of Egypt. Minutes of the meeting were also signed, which dealt with means of enhancing cooperation in the fields mentioned above, and other vital areas of cooperation between the competent authorities in both countries. The two sides affirmed their will to activate what was signed and to plan new mechanisms to implement their contents as soon as possible, which reflects their firm desire to advance their cooperation, in line with the mechanisms of joint Arab action. The two sides affirmed their keenness to coordinate the work and consult together in regional and international organizations and forums, especially the League of Arab States, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and within the United Nations system, in order to achieve their interests and support joint Arab action to achieve the hopes and aspirations of the two peoples. In this context, the Egyptian side congratulated the Kingdom of Bahrain for winning the membership of the Human Rights Council of the United Nations for the period 2019-2021, after obtaining 165 votes, which reflects the wise policies of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa of the Kingdom of Bahrain, in establishing rights and freedoms, which also highlights the Kingdom of Bahrain's recognition of the importance of human rights in achieving sustainable development. The Bahraini side also praised the success of the 2nd edition of the World Youth Forum, which was held under the patronage of President Abdel Fattah El Sisi, in Sharm El-Sheikh from 3-6 November 2018. The two sides stressed the pivotal role of maintaining the security and stability of the countries of the region and safeguarding their sovereignty and independence. They also stressed the importance of the security of the Arab Gulf. In this context, the Bahraini side welcomed the statements made by President Abdel Fattah El Sisi, on the security of the Gulf, where he stated that it is an integral part of Egypt's national security and that compromising its security would be crossing a red line. The Egyptian side also welcomed the assurances of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa of the Kingdom of Bahrain that the Arab Republic of Egypt represents the strategic and security depth of the Kingdom of Bahrain and the Arab region as a whole. The two sides restated their condemnation of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and stressed the compatibility of the visions between the two countries in this regard. The Bahraini side stressed its condemnation of the terrorist operations in the Arab Republic of Egypt and its support in all its efforts to combat this heinous act. The two sides stressed the importance of coordinating bilateral, regional and international efforts to combat various forms of terrorism and to emphasize its roots and causes, including the drying up and support of terrorist funding sources. The two sides also reviewed a number of Arab, Islamic, regional and international issues of common concern, stressing the importance of continuing coordination between the two countries in light of the convergence of views and attitudes towards various regional and international issues. The two sides stressed their adherence to the 13 demands and the six principles of the four countries calling for combating terrorism as a basis for resolving the crisis with the State of Qatar, and that all Qatari attempts to avoid these demands will only lead to prolonging the period of the crisis. The two sides stressed the importance of supporting the Palestinian cause and following up on its political developments, as the central issue of the Arab and Islamic nations, and affirmed that a just and comprehensive solution can only be achieved by safeguarding the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people and establishing its independent and sovereign state and the borders of 4 June 1967 with East Jerusalem as its capital, as well as the return of refugees in accordance with the two-state solution based on the resolutions of the relevant international legitimacy and the Arab peace initiative, stressing that this initiative is the best solution to end the Arab-Israeli conflict. The two sides expressed their categorical rejection of the Israeli violations of the sanctity of the Al-Aqsa Mosque and all the illegitimate settlement operations. They also expressed their support for the international efforts aimed at settling the Palestinian question. The two sides also stressed the need to support the UNRWA for its mission to serve the Palestinian refugees at home and abroad. The Bahraini side expressed its appreciation for the efforts exerted by the Arab Republic of Egypt to end the blockade of Gaza, alleviate the suffering of the Palestinian people and achieve reconciliation on the basis of national partnership and previous agreements between the Palestinian factions. The two sides also expressed their mutual views on rejecting the regional interference in the internal affairs of Arab countries. They also stressed the need for these regional parties to respect the international law and UN Charter, as well as respecting the sovereignty and independence of States. The two sides affirmed the sovereignty of the United Arab Emirates over its three islands (Greater Tunb, Lesser Tunb and Abu Musa) as an integral part of the United Arab Emirates, calling the Islamic Republic of Iran to respond to the UAE's efforts to resolve the issue either through direct negotiations or by resorting to the International Court of Justice. Regarding the Libyan crisis, the two sides reiterated their firm stance supporting the efforts aimed at rebuilding the country and unifying the military institution in order to provide protection and defense of Libya, as well as confront all forms of terrorism in a manner that preserves the independence, unity and territorial integrity of the Libyan state, and achieve stability, progress and prosperity. The two sides also welcomed the UN envoy to reach a political solution to the crisis and achieve national consensus and comprehensive reconciliation, as well as welcoming the Egyptian role in the process of unifying the Libyan army. The two sides reiterated their support for the unity, stability, and integrity of the Republic of Yemen and their support of its legitimate government. This is reflected in the participation of the two countries in Arab Coalition to Support legitimacy in Yemen to end the suffering of the brotherly Yemeni people. They also stressed the importance of reaching a political solution, considering it the only way to end the crises in the country, on the basis of the Gulf initiative, its executive mechanisms, the outcomes of the national dialogue and the relevant Security Council resolutions, in particular, resolution 2216. The two sides also reaffirmed their support for the efforts of the UN envoy to reach a political settlement of the crisis. In addition to that, the two sides strongly condemned the continued firing of ballistic missiles on Saudi Arabia from Yemeni territories by the Houthi militias which are funded by Iran as part of its interference in the Yemeni affairs and its hegemonic attempts, which are done by supporting the militias by all means, which led to prolonging the conflict and discouraging participation in the political process.