Cabinet lauds 'Joint Gulf Shield 1' success

Manama, Apr. 23 (BNA): The Cabinet has lauded the success of the "Joint Gulf Shield 1" military drill whose closing ceremony was attended by His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa. The ceremony was held recently in Saudi Arabia under the patronage of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, in the presence of senior officials from brotherly and friendly countries. Chaired by His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, and attended by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Premier, the session stressed that the Joint Gulf Shield drill would strengthen the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries in the security and military fields, as well as increase coordination and cooperation among the participating countries and enhance their readiness and preparedness to face challenges and threats to the region. It also hailed the effective participation of the Bahrain Defence Force (BDF) in such a military gathering, and praised the high competence showcased by BDF’s servicemen during it, Cabinet Secretary-General, Dr. Yasser bin Isa Al-Nasser, said in a statement following the regular weekly cabinet session, which was held at the Gudaibiya Palace today. The cabinet welcomed the kingdom’s election as member of the United Nations Committee on Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), noting that the milestone affirms the International Community’s confidence in the human rights achievements attained by Bahrain during the prosperous era of HM King Hamad, as well as for its honouring of its international commitments and pledges in the human rights field, and success of its diplomacy. Then, the session reviewed, through a report submitted by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the outcomes of the 29th Arab Summit (Al-Quds Summit), hosted recently by Saudi Arabia. The cabinet lauded the resolutions of the 29th Arab Summit, highlighting their importance in enhancing Arab solidarity, strengthening joint Arab action and serving the just causes of the Arab Nation. After that, HRH the Prime Minister gave directives to the relevant authorities to facilitate the building of events halls across the kingdom’s governorates according to mechanisms and regulations to meet the citizens’ needs in this regard through sparing them some commitments related to the social requirements in their joys and sorrows, as well as to consolidate the government’s action in the social field. While reviewing the memoranda on its agenda, the cabinet approved a new draft-law that protects the rights of those who produce a new plant variety, discover it or develop it by hybridisation or otherwise. It also guarantees the plant breeder a 25-year protection for commercial production of trees and grapes and a 20-year protection for other agricultural crops. The bill stipulates that the new plant varieties are registered in the "Register of Plant Varieties" at the Plant Wealth Directorate of ministry in charge of agriculture. The draft law also regulates the rights and duties of the development and production of new plant varieties, which should meet the requirements of novelty, distinction and homogeneity, as well as carry its own name. Aiming to provide an opportunity for plant breeders to develop new varieties with high economic value and productivity, and encourage investment in this area, the bill, highlighted in the presentations of Deputy Premier and Chairman of the Ministerial Committee for Legal Affairs, and the Minister of Industry, Commerce and Tourism, was referred to the Legislature. The session endorsed the establishment of a committee headed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to follow up on the implementation of the projects and initiatives launched in cooperation with United Nations agencies and organisations. The panel will ensure the compatibility of these projects and initiatives with the framework and priorities of the Government's Action Plan and the Economic Vision for Bahrain 2030, as recommended by the Ministerial Committee For Legal Affairs and presented by the Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Committee. The cabinet discussed the registration of the Arab Union for voluntary Work (AUVW) in the Kingdom of Bahrain. The AUVW, which was officially announced in May 2016 at the headquarters of the League of Arab, includes a number of NGOs concerned with volunteering and aims to achieve cooperation among the voluntary bodies in the Arab countries, a memorandum, presented by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and referred to the Ministerial Committee for Legal Affairs, explained. The session referred to the Legislative Branch a draft-law, drafted based on a proposal by the Council of Representatives, on amending Article (18) of the Civil Service Law promulgated by Decree-Law 48/2010, along with a memorandum explaining the government’s opinion on it. The cabinet discussed a proposal submitted by the Council of Representatives on allocating a land lot for an events hall in the Southern Governorate, and another on allocating a building for a youth centre in Salmabad. The session took the necessary decisions regarding the two proposals, as recommended by the Ministerial Committee for Legal Affairs, and highlighted in eth memorandum presented by the Deputy Premier and committee chairman.