Foreign Minister attends Arab Media Forum

Abu Dhabi, Apr.3 (BNA): The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Shaikh Khalid bin Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Khalifa, participated in the seventeenth edition of the Arab Media Forum, which was launched today in the United Arab Emirates under the patronage of the Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. The Minister of Foreign Affairs expressed his sincere thanks to His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, congratulating him on the success and great achievements of this media forum thanks to His Highness's patronage since its launch in 2000. The Minister called for a greater effort in countering false media by highlighting the facts with professionalism and not allowing the media demolitions to affect our societies and countries in their development, noting that dedicated media is constantly evolving, while there are some websites and television channels that have been lying, fabricating news and abusing others. The Minister of Foreign Affairs referred to the entry of many elites and various members of society and institutions in the areas of social communication, stressing the need for the voices that call for development to prevail. The Minister stressed the deep relations between the Kingdom of Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, affirming that those who know the history and origins of these relations from the days of the late King Abdulaziz Al Saud, know that there is an old alliance, family relations, one stance, one heart and a coordination that is rooted throughout history. Shaikh Khalid said that what is happening today in the development, openness and progress of Saudi Arabia is the most important thing happening in the region, and that the whole Arab world is looking at this development with satisfaction. All that is happening was built on the basis of the solid foundation created by the parents and grandparents of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and is in the interest of all. These developments will lead to the release of the creativity of the Saudi people, who enjoy outstanding energy in various political, economic, social, artistic and other fields. The Minister added that Saudi Arabia has significant potential in various fields and that the most important development in the region now is the development in Saudi Arabia. Shaikh Khalid praised the distinguished relations between the Kingdom of Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates, affirming that these brotherly relations are well established and witnessing continuous prosperity. The Minister expressed his pride in the development and progress witnessed by the UAE, recalling the great roles and efforts of the late Shaikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, praising the efforts of the President of the United Arab Emirates, His Highness Shaikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, and the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, in bringing renaissance and prosperity to the United Arab Emirates. Shaikh Khalid affirmed the absence in confidence in the current regime of the Islamic Republic of Iran and its aggressive approach, especially with its occupation of the three islands of the UAE and its attempts to control and spread its influence in the region. The Minister noted that it is impossible to talk about a solution to the Qatari crisis in light of the current situation and circumstances, as there are transgressions and covenants that have not been met and it is important to search for other solutions to deal with this issue. He stressed that the Gulf Cooperation Council is not threatened by the Qatari crisis and that the GCC is capable of dealing with this crisis. The Minister of Foreign Affairs expressed his optimism about the future of relations between the countries of the region and the United States of America, noting the progress in these relations.