HRH Premier granted 'Flame of Peace' Award

Manama, Mar. 30 (BNA): His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa was presented with the "Flame of Peace" Award by the Association for the Furtherance of Peace President Her Imperial Highness Archduchess Herta Margarete. HRH Premier is the first Arab Prime Minister to have received such a prestigious award for the crucial role he has played in enhancing humanitarian work, promoting peace and strengthening humanitarian relations among peoples of the world. HRH the Prime Minister was granted the 'Flame of Peace" Award during a ceremony held today at the Gudaibiya Palace, in the presence of the Association for the Furtherance of Peace President Her Imperial Highness Archduchess Herta Margarete, Vice-President Archduke Sandor von Habsburg, ministers, Speaker of the Council of Representatives, Shura Council Chairman, senior state officials, editors-in-chief of local newspapers and press and media personnel. HRH Prince Khalifa appreciated the efforts exerted by the Association for the Furtherance of Peace to promote the cultures of peace and peaceful co-existence and foster tolerance so that peace and stability prevail across the world. The award is an honouring of the Bahraini people whose society is a model for openness and fraternity, as well as for commitment to the values of tolerance and peaceful co-existence among all its components," he said, noting that Bahrain has been, and still is, a melting pot of civilisations and cultures and an oasis of freedom and equality for all. The "Flame of Peace" Award reasserts the kingdom's distinguished status as a peace-loving country that backs efforts to strengthen the pillars of global peace and spread the culture and values of fraternity, co-existence and love so that security and stability prevail worldwide, he also said. The Prime Minister highlighted the key role played by society as a partner in assuming the responsibility and taking the initiative to foster global peace through mobilising efforts to face the increasing challenges and reject all forms and manifestations of violence that pose a serious threat to countries' stability and undermine their nation-building and development efforts, hailing the efforts of the Association for the Furtherance of Peace in this regard. Efforts to maintain global peace and security should be preceded by consolidating the values and principles of co-existence and tolerance as a culture that should be instilled in persons and translated into a creative work that supports the right of peoples to live in peace and security through which development in various fields can go forward. President of the Association for the Furtherance of Peace, Her Imperial Highness Archduchess Herta Margarete, then conferred the "Flame of Peace" Award upon HRH Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman. Her Imperial Highness Archduchess Herta Margarete delivered a statement in which she affirmed that HRH Premier deserved the award for his leading role in consolidating humanitarian work and peace at the world level. HRH the Prime Minister is a world personality that enjoys global respect and appreciation and has a rich record laden with distinguished achievements, she said, adding that the Association for the Furtherance of Peace is proud of the achievements of the Prime Minister as a supporter of humanitarian work that aims to fulfill the peoples' aspirations for peace. She stressed that the Association for the Furtherance of Peace is honoured by granted the "Flame of Peace" Award to HRH Premier in tribute for his role in enhancing mutual respect and understanding, tolerance and co-existence among Bahraini citizens, as well as crucial role in boosting regional and global peace and security. She hailed HRH the Prime Minister's rich record of efforts to enhance rapprochement among peoples and spread the culture of peace and co-existence as an essential pre-requisite for advancing societies. She also praised his initiative to urge rejection of practices that represent a threat to humanity's present and future, as well as vision and policies aiming to achieve peaceful co-existence in the Kingdom of Bahrain. Her Imperial Highness Archduchess Herta Margarete lauded HRH Premier's role in consolidating sustainable urban development and supporting heritage and culture, noting that he was granted the award in appreciation of his commitment to effectively implementing the Millennium Development Goals and making Bahrain a regional and international role model for achievements and success in various development fields. She also lauded the development and progress boom currently witnessed by the kingdom, which, she said, reflects the success of eth government in providing all requirements of decent living for the citizens and ensuring freedom, diversity and openness in the kingdom. Then, Deputy Premier HH Shaikh Ali bin Khalifa Al Khalifa unveiled, on behalf of HRH Premier, the plaque of the "Flame of Peace Monument", alongside the Association for the Furtherance of Peace President Her Imperial Highness Archduchess Herta Margarete and Vice-President Archduke Sandor von Habsburg. The plaque unveiling ceremony was held outside the Bahrain National Theatre, in the presence of the Speaker of the Council of Representatives, Shura Council Chairman, ministers, senior state officials, press and media personnel and guests. Her Imperial Highness Archduchess Herta Margarete said that the award is bestowed upon leaders, as well as worthy recipients working in local community projects fostering peace, inter-cultural understanding and humanitarian actions on the field. The "Flame of Peace" Award symbolises peace, friendship, bravery, strength, perseverance and resilience, she added, noting that HRH Premier deserved the award for his strong and effective contributions to efforts to enhance development and peace. She affirmed that the "Flame of Peace Monument" was erected in Bahrain thanks to its rich heritage and culture and status as a land in which all civilisations and religions co-exist peacefully. It is also model to be emulated by other countries in co-existence. Deputy Premier HH Shaikh Ali bin Khalifa extended sincere congratulations to HRH the Premier for the global award, noting that HRH Premier's rich record of achievements has earned him international praise and appreciation. HRH Prince Khalifa bin Salman is a source of pride as he consolidated the kingdom's reputation at the international level, he added. Then, the deputy premier hosted a lunch banquet in honour the Association for the Furtherance of Peace President Her Imperial Highness Archduchess Herta Margarete and Vice-President Archduke Sandor von Habsburg. Ministers, senior state officials, press and media personnel and guests attended.