Democracy, freedoms are part of Bahraini heritage

Manama, June 13 (BNA): His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa has asserted that development and progress have always been a life approach adopted by Bahrain since its establishment. The progress boom currently witnessed by the kingdom requires doubling efforts to ensure its sustainability amid the existing multiple challenges, and achieve top national goals, including a secure and stable atmosphere within a troubled surrounding. Democracy, freedoms and human rights protection, which are the fundamentals of civilised societies, are deep-rooted natural aspects of the Bahraini society and part of its long history and heritage, he added. HRH Premier asserted that while the government supports and consolidates openness, it is keen to make sure that it is security-supporting, especially amid the political and security developments and the spread of the phenomenon of terrorism which belongs to no religion, and is unpredictable and trans-boundary, and therefore requires constant vigilance and cautions in dealing with it. The Prime Minister made the stances while receiving, at the Gudaibiya Palace today, the Speaker of the Council of Representatives Ahmed bin Ibrahim Al-Mulla, Shura Council Chairman Ali bin Saleh Al Saleh and MPs, in the presence of former Speaker Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Dhahrani. We are all ears to every voice seeking nation-building and development, but we will pay no heed to those with hidden intentions to sow divide, he said, stressing that the Bahraini society is highly aware and is capable of distinguishing between the good and the evil. HRH Premier reviewed with the audience aspects of Executive-Legislature cooperation, voicing pride in the strategic partnership binding the two branches. He underlined the government’s support to any initiatives aimed at enriching such fruitful cooperation. On the kingdom’s international relations, the Prime Minister affirmed that Bahrain is keen on establishing strong ties with all countries within a framework of mutual respect, common interests and non-interference in domestic affairs.