HM King participates in GCC-US Summit

Manama, May 21 (BNA): His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, in the presence of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Prime Minister, today participated in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) leaders-US President Summit held at King Abdulaziz International Conference Centre in Riyadh. HM the King delivered the following speech: In the name of God, the Most Merciful, the Most Compassionate Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, The Honorable President of the United States, Your Highnesses, God’s peace, mercy and blessings be upon you, We would like to express our sincere gratitude to you our brother, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, for the kind invitation and generous hospitality we have received since arrival to our valued second home, the brotherly Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. We are also pleased to welcome the honorable President Donald Trump President of the United States of America, to this important meeting which affirms the depth of relations between our countries. In this meeting, we are united by one common cause: to create a world that is safer, more stable and more prosperous. Together we will face down threats; together we will seek new opportunities. Today we are full of hope that Allah willing, we can work to build firm foundations for peace and security. Such foundations will also help bring about moderation, and a culture of coexistence and mutual tolerance, and that is what we all aim to achieve. For the stability of the Gulf region, it is up to Iran to stop exporting its own form of revolution and provoking sectarian extremism and that it knows that we, in the Arabian Gulf, are one people. In these endeavors, we are truly grateful for the friendship and support of the United States of America. The USA is and has always been a long-time ally of Bahrain and indeed the region, for the sake of peace and prosperity Therefore, we are immensely delighted today to welcome our noble guest President Donald Trump. His presence is a mark of respect for the GCC states – and a clear demonstration that the President would like to deepen our friendship at every level: between our militaries, between our governments, and between our peoples. Most importantly of all, our friendship with the United States is vital for global security and for many decades we have enjoyed intensive military co-operation. Since the 1940s US power in the Middle East has resided in Bahrain where the 5th Fleet plays a pivotal role in guaranteeing the flow of oil, combatting piracy and allowing freedom of trade by safeguarding the free movement of vessels in the Arabian Gulf and overseas. This support has been critically important to global stability – and it is a foundation we must build upon today. Custodian of the two Holy Mosques, Your Excellency the President, Your highnesses Our dear brothers The rapid and complex developments the region is witnessing, and the dangerous threats the world faces, demand that direct channels of communication be in place between partners – and strong and comprehensive co-operation be across all fronts. In the face of threats there must be continual consultation between our governments and militaries in our respective countries. In the face of terror and extremism, there must be a united front. Let the message go out from this meeting that however large the number of terrorists, our resolve to defeat them is greater. In our efforts to achieve all these things we look to work with our close friend the United States of America. The United States has had a profoundly positive impact on the peace and stability of the world. With its international influence, its strength and its wisdom it has played a pivotal role – and continues to do so today. President Trump, in the short period of your wise leadership you have demonstrated your complete comprehension of the factors behind the troubles that exist in our region. You have tirelessly sought to tackle the underlying dangers that threaten us all. You have shown yourself to be a leader able to see the bigger picture, and you have shown strength where necessary. It is your honorable record that gives us such confidence in the successful outcome of our meeting. Like you, we wish to strengthen our alliance and deepen cooperation to the furthest possible extent. Like you, we wish to confront terrorist organizations and Militias and those who support them, smashing with an iron fist those who try to destabilize our societies. At the same time, we are pleased with your concern to resolve the greatest problem facing our region; the Palestinian problem. Your efforts will receive our full support and assistance. Achieving a just and comprehensive solution in line with the Arab Peace Initiative and related security council resolutions is in the benefit of all. To conclude, I would like to express my most sincere good wishes for the success of our meeting. I am confident that it will be wholly successful in achieving the goals we all aspire for. Together we can collaborate more effectively to tackle the issues that concern us. Together we can deepen our friendship. Together we can overcome the threats we face – and work towards peace and stability for all our nations, and the world. After Allah Almighty, we thank the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques for his leadership and determination, which brought us together for the good of all. And we also thank the Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council and his staff for all that they have achieved. God’s peace, mercy and blessings be upon you. The GCC leaders, heads of delegations and US President Donald Trump exchanged a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to establish a center for combating terrorism financing. HRH Crown Prince Mohammed bin Naif bin Abdulaziz, Deputy Premier and Minister of Interior, represented the GCC countries and US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson represented the US in the signing ceremony.