Premier participates in 2nd Asia Cooperation Dialogue Summit

Bangkok, Oct. 10 (BNA): The enactment of laws such as JASTA would undermine sovereignty and immunity of states, and therefore our joint co-operation is needed to safeguard the security and stability of our nations. This requires a strong economy to help us support our development programmes and achieve comprehensive sustainable development, His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa has confirmed. The Asian continent, with its huge and diverse resources, deserves to play a greater role on the international scene in all political and economic fields, which requires our economic integration and further strengthened inter-relations between our countries, the Prime Minister said. "The global economy occasionally faces crises in various forms, which urges us to further coordinate and to take necessary measures beforehand to alleviate the negative impacts on our nations," he added. HRH the Prime Minister stressed the importance of mutual cooperation at the regional level between existing economic blocs and groups, including the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), for the positive impacts it would bring on the present and future of the region. The Prime Minister made the statements while delivering his speech at the 2nd Asia Cooperation Dialogue Summit (ACD) , held in the Thai Capital of Bangkok, under the motto "One Asia – Diverse Strengths". The heads of governments and delegations of ACD member states attended. HRH Premier conveyed greetings from His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa to the attendees of the summit, and wished them success in achieving the forum’s goals and aspirations in the interests of the nations and peoples of the Asian continent. "We’re pleased to participate in this forum, which the Kingdom of Bahrain had contributed to its inception in 2002, out of its belief in its adopted principles of cooperation. These principles are aimed at the creation of a further developed Asian knowledge-based community and the transformation of Asia into a strong bloc that would communicate with the rest of the world nations to achieve growth, development and prosperity," HRH Premier said. The premier extended his thanks and appreciation to the Prime Minister of Thailand for the good organisation of the summit, the warm welcome and hospitality as well as other coordination efforts the country had exerted as former ACD Chair, as well as His Highness Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jabber Al-Sabah and the State of Kuwait for their efforts in hosting and ensuring success of the 1st ACD Summit held in 2012, welcoming the United Arab Emirates as the new ACD Chair; and Turkey -and - Nepal as the new ACD Member States. HRH Premier concluded his speech by emphasising that Bahrain would remain committed to contributing effectively to the accomplishment of ACD’s objectives and aspirations. Below is the full text of HRH Premier's keynote speech "H.E. General (Ret.) Prayut Chan-o-cha "Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand, "Your Highnesses and Excellencies "Distinguished participants, Assalamu Alaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barokatuh, "I am pleased to convey to you the greetings of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, King of the Kingdom of Bahrain, together with my best wishes that this summit will succeed in achieving the goals that are set for it, and to meet the aspirations and interests of the member countries and peoples of the continent. "I extend my thanks to His Excellency the Prime Minister of the friendly Kingdom of Thailand for the gracious hospitality and the excellent preparations for this summit, and also express appreciation for the efforts of my dear brother His Highness Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and the sisterly State of Kuwait for hosting and ensuring the success of the first summit. "I wish also to congratulate the sisterly United Arab Emirates on assuming the presidency, and welcome the accession of the friendly Republic of Turkey and the Republic of Nepal to the group. Distinguished participants, "This summit is taking place at a time when sustainable development is at the forefront of the global agenda. However, the achievement of sustainable development requires maintaining security and stability and not to impact negatively on such efforts. The legislation of laws such as JASTA contravenes the principles of equal sovereignty of States and sovereign immunity. This calls for our joint cooperation to ensure the security and stability of our countries and for establishing a strong economy which provides support for our programmes to achieve sustainable development. Distinguished participants, The Asian continent has diverse resources that enable it to play a greater role at the international level through economic integration and strengthening cooperation between the economic groupings, including the Gulf Cooperation Council, the development of our early coordination to deal with the economic crisis, and strengthening the progress monitoring mechanisms in different joint cooperation fields. "Finally, the Kingdom of Bahrain will continue to contribute effectively in order to achieve the objectives of the Asian cooperation, hoping that this meeting will achieve the aspirations of our countries and peoples for the fruitful cooperation in all areas. "Assalamu Alaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barokatuh."