HM King receives HM Sultan Ibrahim of Johor

Manama, Nov. 26 (BNA): His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa received, in the presence of His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim Ibni Almarhum Sultan Iskandar the Sultan and Sovereign Ruler of the State and Territory of Johor Darul Ta'zim in Malaysia, at the Gudaibiya Palace today. HM Sultan Ibrahim is on a visit to Bahrain at the invitation of HM King Hamad. Upon arrival at the Gudaibiya Palace, HM Sultan Ibrahim was greeted by school students and folk bands. Then, an official reception was held, and the anthems of the State of Johor Darul Ta'zim and the Kingdom of Bahrain were played. After that, the kingdom’s distinguished guest shook hands with senior Bahraini officials, and HM the King shook hands with the members of HM Sultan Ibrahim’s accompanying delegation. After some Holy Quran verses had been recited, HM King Hamad delivered a keynote speech. HM the King welcomed HM Sultan Ibrahim, and expressed utmost delight in his visit to the Kingdom of Bahrain, which holds every appreciation and love to sisterly Malaysia. HM King Hamad recalled the gracious welcome and honouring accorded to him during his visit to Malaysian last April, and the important and fruitful talks he had held there on ways to further cement bilateral cooperation within the solid brotherly relations binding the two countries. HM the King said that he was pleased with the visits of the Malaysian delegations to Bahrain following his successful visit to Malaysia, welcoming other similar visits to intensify talks on the plans of action in the coming period and ways to implement them to fulfill the joint aspirations and achieve common interests. HM King Hamad commended the tremendous efforts exerted by HM Sultan Ibrahim for the sake of optimising Malaysia’s national achievements at all levels, noting that he was informed closely about Malaysia’s development model and the remarkable progress boom it was witnessing during his visit there. HM the King valued highly HM Sultan Ibrahim’s "pioneering and responsible role" in supporting security and spreading peace all over the world, being necessary means to maintain human co-existence and rapprochement for the best interests of the entire humanity. HM King renewed resolve to carry on strengthening bilateral relations and upgrading the levels of joint cooperation in various fields, adding that the Bahraini-Malaysian relations, which are built on a long history of brotherly rapprochement based on mutual trust and respect, pave the way for a more promising future laden with continuous and constructive cooperation. HM King Hamad said that he would confer the Shaikh Isa bin Salman Al-Khalifa Medal of the Excellent Class, in recognition of his remarkable efforts and achievements, wishing him continuous success. Then, HM the King conferred the Shaikh Isa bin Salman Al-Khalifa Medal of the Excellent Class on HM Sultan Ibrahim in tribute for his efforts to consolidate cooperation between the Kingdom of Bahrain and the State and Territory of Johor Darul Ta'zim. After that, HM Sultan Ibrahim delivered a speech in which he expressed sincere thanks and appreciation to HM King Hamad for his kind invitation, praising the gracious welcome and hospitality accorded to him during his visit to the "beautiful" Kingdom. HM Sultan Ibrahim extended an invitation to HM King Hamad to visit the Johor Sultanate at any time convenient for him. HM Sultan Ibrahim expressed deepest gratitude to HM the King, voicing deep pride in being bestowed the Shaikh Isa bin Salman Al-Khalifa Medal of the Excellent Class by HM King Hamad. HM Sultan Ibrahim said he would confer the First Class of the Most Esteemed Order of the Johor Royal Family on HM the King. "This Order was instituted in 1886 and it is a token of our strong brotherhood between the Kingdom of Bahrain and Johor Darul Ta'zim," said Sultan Ibrahim.  Then, HM Sultan Ibrahim conferred the First Class of the Most Esteemed Order of the Johor Royal Family on HM King Hamad in recognition of his role in bolstering relations between the two countries. Earlier, HM Sultan Ibrahim arrived in Bahrain on a visit to Bahrain at the invitation of HM King Hamad. HM the King and HM Sultan Ibrahim will hold talks on the solid bilateral relations, in addition to issues of common interest. Upon arrival, HM Sultan Ibrahim was welcomed by Deputy Premier, HH Shaikh Mohammed bin Mubarak Al Khalifa, Information Affairs Minister, who is the head of his Convoy of Honour, and the Muharraq Governor, Salman bin Isa bin Hindi.