HM King, Moroccan leader hold talks

Manama, Apr. 25 (BNA): His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa welcomed HM King Mohammed VI of Morocco on his arrival on an official visit to Bahrain, accompanied by His Royal Highness Prince Moulay Rachid. His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al-Khalifa, Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Premier also welcomed the Moroccan leader at Bahrain International Airport. After a brief pause at the VIP lounge, the two leaders headed to Al-Sakhir Palace as schools students, citizens and folklore musical bands rallied to salute the Moroccan King while the motorcade proceeded through the avenues adorned by the flags of the two countries. An official ceremony was then held at Al-Sakhir Palace as the musical band played the national anthems of Morocco and Bahrain. The two leaders held official talks, in the presence of His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al-Khalifa and His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al-Khalifa, Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Premier. HM the King welcomed King Mohammed VI, hailing his visit to Bahrain, which reflects solid relations binding the two countries and embodies firm keenness on continuing consultation and cooperation for the sake of joint interest.In a session of talks attended by the two delegations, the two sides reviewed long-standing historic relations and ways of further bolstering bilateral ties and expanding joint cooperation.HM the King reiterated Bahrain's support to Morocco's territorial integrity and rejection of all encroachment on any inch of its territories, firmly backing Moroccan efforts to settle the dispute over Western Sahara. The two leaders hailed the positive results of the GCC-Moroccan Summit, which was held in Riyadh last week, affirming strong relations between the GCC countries and Kingdom of Morocco. HM the King commended the dedicated efforts of the Moroccan leader, as chairman of the OIC Al-Quds Committee, in support of the Palestinian people's inalienable rights. The two leaders discussed the developments unfolding in Palestine, Syria, Iraq, Yemen and Libya, stressing the need to muster all Arab and international efforts to combat the scourge of terrorism which is destabilizing countries and threatening international security and stability. They slammed blatant Iranian interference which subverts the security and stability of Bahrain, GCC states and Arab countries, by meddling in their internal affairs and supporting terrorism which is strongly condemned by the Gulf Cooperation Council, the Arab League and Organisation of Islamic Cooperation. The two leaders agreed to develop cooperation in the field of Islamic endowments, religious institutes, the judiciary, education and academic programmes. The Moroccan leader thanked HM the King for the warm welcome and generous hospitality, hailing his keenness on strengthening bilateral relations on all levels. HM King Hamad and King Mohammed VI then attended the signing of two protocols and an executive cooperation between the two countries. Finance Minister Shaikh Ahmed bin Mohammed Al-Khalifa and Moroccan Minister of Economy and Finance Mohammed Bousaid co-signed a protocol amending an agreement signed on the 7th of April 2000 on avoidance of double taxation and fiscal evasion. Justice, Islamic Affairs and Endowments Minister Shaikh Khalid bin Ali bin Abdulla Al-Khalifa and Moroccan Minister of Endowments and Islamic Affairs Ahmed Al-Tawfiq signed an executive cooperation programme for the years 2016, 2017 and 2018. Justice, Islamic Affairs and Endowments Minister Shaikh Khalid bin Ali bin Abdulla Al-Khalifa and Moroccan Minister of Justice and Liberties Mustafa Ramid signed a cooperation protocol between Bahrain's Judicial and Legal Studies Institute (JLSI) and Moroccan Institut Superieure de La Magistrature. HM King Hamad and King Mohammed VI hailed the signing of the protocols and the executive programme which they consider as a new starting point to further bolster joint relations. HM the King hosted a dinner banquet in honour of King Mohammed VI of Morocco and the accompanying delegation.