Press conference highlights Brazilian President’s visit outcomes

Manama, Nov. 16 (BNA): On the sidelines of the official visit of President of Brazil Jair Bolsonaro to Bahrain, upon the invitation of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, held a press conference. The minister made a media statement about the visit and reviewed the main issues that were discussed and agreed upon between the two sides. Al Zayani said that HM the King and the Brazilian President held important talks, with the participation of the delegations of the two countries, which reflected the close relations between them based on mutual respect, constant communication and genuine interest in developing cooperation in all areas that would serve common interests. He said HM the King expressed his thanks to the Brazilian President for his interest in enhancing prospects for cooperation between the two friendly countries, stressing Bahrain's aspiration and keenness to develop cooperation with Brazil in the economic and investment fields. The minister also noted that HM the King, expressed his congratulations to the Brazilian President on the inauguration of the Brazilian embassy and that HM was looking forward to the inauguration of the Bahraini embassy in Brasilia soon, which will contribute to increasing opportunities and cooperation between the two countries. The minister said HM the King, and the Brazilian President discussed opportunities to develop bilateral cooperation in economy, trade, investment, agriculture, health, tourism and culture, and other fields that would contribute to consolidating their relations. Al Zayani added that the two leaders expressed their determination to continue strengthening bilateral political dialogue through high-level visits. In this context, the Brazilian President extended an invitation to HM the King, to visit Brazil at a date to be determined through diplomatic channels. The minister said that the two leaders welcomed the remarkable expansion of bilateral trade in 2021, which demonstrates the complementarity between the two economies and the potential of commercial ties. Bilateral trade is expected to exceed the $2 billion mark by 2021, and Brazil is expected to become one of Bahrain's main suppliers. Both leaders reinforced their willingness to consider ways to diversify and further advance bilateral trade. He said that the Brazilian President participated in a business seminar organized by the Arab-Brazilian Chamber of Commerce. He also participated in a special session of the King Hamad Global Center for Peaceful Coexistence. It was agreed to undertake joint initiatives within the framework of the Bahrain Declaration, in recognition of the importance of tolerance and interfaith dialogue in promoting lasting peace in the Middle East and the world. Al Zayani added that HM the King bestowed on the Brazilian President the Order of Shaikh Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa, Bahrain’s highest decoration, in appreciation of the President’s good efforts in strengthening friendship and cooperation between the two friendly countries. The Brazilian President conferred on HM the King the Grand Collar of the Brazilian National Medal of the Southern Cross, Brazil’s highest decoration. The minister said that memoranda of understanding and agreements were signed between the two sides, including: an agreement on exemption from visa requirements for holders of diplomatic, special and official passports between the two countries. The agreement aims to facilitate the travel of citizens of the two countries who hold diplomatic, special and official passports, by allowing them to enter, exit, transit through or reside in the territories of both parties without a visa. A memorandum of understanding for cooperation in training diplomats and the exchange of information and experiences in relation to academic research, courses, seminars and academic, educational and training activities was also signed. A memorandum of understanding in sports cooperation, a memorandum of understanding in cultural cooperation, a memorandum of understanding on coordination for freedom of religion, belief, conscience and expression, and a memorandum of understanding Between the Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Arab-Brazilian Chamber of Commerce to promote economic and commercial cooperation between the two sides were also signed. The minister added that he handed over to the Brazilian Minister of Foreign Affairs a certificate marking Brazil’s membership in the Global-Sea-to-Air Logistics Hub in order to achieve the common aim to develop economic and trade relations between the two countries.