Foreign Ministry Undersecretary highlights Bahrain's democratic experience

Helsinki, Oct. 1 (BNA): he Undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for International Affairs Dr. Shaikh Abdullah bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, met today with the Second Deputy Speaker of the Finnish Parliament, Mr. Juho Eerola, and Member of Parliament, Mr. Hussein Al-Taee, at the Parliament House in Helsinki. Dr. Shaikh Abdulla welcomed Mr. Eerola, and Mr.Al-Taee, and commended the existing cooperation between the Kingdom of Bahrain and the friendly Republic of Finland, noting in this regard the role played by the Gulf Cooperation Council Parliamentary Friendship Group at the Finnish Parliament in consolidating bilateral relations. The Undersecretary for International Affairs reviewed the Kingdom’s efforts in consolidating popular participation and applying democratic practice, where the Kingdom has achieved meaningful democratic transformations and unprecedented qualitative gains in a short period of time, thanks to the comprehensive reform approach of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa. Dr. Shaikh Abdullah illustrated the importance of the legislative authority in the decision-making process and supporting the process of national action, based on solid constitutional constants unanimously agreed upon by the people of the Kingdom of Bahrain, with free will and broad participation. He added that national legislation reflects full and permanent respect for rights and freedoms to consolidate the pillars of the modern civil state. The Undersecretary for International Affairs stressed that there are many promising opportunities available to develop bilateral cooperation, especially in the areas of investment, energy projects, innovation, knowledge transfer and entrepreneurship, as well as industries, construction, tourism and exhibitions, noting that Finnish companies can benefit from the Bahrain Economic Vision 2030 programs. Dr. Shaikh Abdulla also highlighted the Kingdom's pioneering role at the international level, as it offers a leading civilizational and human model in tolerance and peaceful coexistence, in light of its freedoms and rights, noting his happiness for initiatives and qualitative and pioneering achievements, to promote religious freedoms, peaceful coexistence, women's advancement, youth empowerment and protection of expatriate workers and others. For his part, the Second Deputy Speaker of the Finnish Parliament expressed his country’s willingness to enhance cooperation and coordination with the Kingdom of Bahrain, and to identify the Kingdom of Bahrain's successful model in the field of legislative authority, praising the Kingdom's efforts to keep pace with many developmental and reform fields.