HM King opens third session of fourth legislative term

Manama, Oct. 16 (BNA): His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa patronised today, in the presence of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Prime Minister, the opening of the third session of the Fourth Legislative Term. Upon arrival of the Royal motorcade to the Isa Cultural Centre, escorted by Police Cavalry, HM King Hamad was welcomed by the Speaker of the Council of Representatives, Ahmed bin Ibrahim Al-Mulla and Chairman of the Shura Council, Ali bin Saleh Al Saleh. The National Anthem was played, and then HM the King headed to the Grand Conference Hall of the Isa Cultural Centre, where some Holy Quran verses were recited. Then, HM the King delivered the following keynote speech: "In the name of God, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful "Praise be to God, and prayers and peace upon the Prophet of God Mohammad and all his family members and companions "Brothers and sisters, honourable members of the national parliament "Peace and God’s mercy and blessings be upon you "With God’s blessings, we declare open the third session of the fourth legislative term of the parliament that heralds a new phase in our forward-looking progress based on the values of reforms, modernization and development. "This well-established constitutional institution will thus continue to assume its legislative and supervisory roles, and as the expression of the popular will, which will remain a bulwark of our national achievements and the fortification of our national safety for the stability and elevated status of Bahrain. "Since the launch of our national reforms, filled with vast hopes and aspirations, our beloved nation has been witnessing a comprehensive development that could be appreciated by all fair minds. Our agreement on the National Action Charter has been our decisive option to move forward in the building of a state of institutions and laws that safeguard political rights, protect freedoms and consolidate the honest exercise of democracy. "In your capacity as members of parliament, you have been assuming in an honest and responsible manner your legislative responsibilities in line with the higher interests of the nation and the citizens. "We have been able, with the grace of God and the determination of our patriotic people, to achieve the triumph of unity over divisions, the victory of citizenship over foreign allegiance and the success of reforms and tolerance over sabotage and extremism. "Such feats must be passed on to the next generation so that they are well aware that the spirit of Bahrain draws its strength and power from cordiality, coexistence and moderation. "Bahrain, with its Arab and Islamic identity, is the homeland of all and the country where the rule of law is supreme, human dignity is safeguarded and rituals are protected. Bahrain will always remain, with the will of God, the strong shield against all foreign quests that threaten the security and stability of our Arabian Gulf surroundings. "Ladies and Gentlemen, "In spite of the exceptional economic situation across the world, our esteemed government has been able to maintain an appropriate level of economic growth through the diversification of sources of income, the stimulation of investment and the consolidation of strategic. The government also took urgent measures to rationalize public spending and to redirect subsidies in order to better meet the needs of our citizens. "In this regard, we express our thanks and appreciation to His Royal Highness our dear uncle Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, the Prime Minister, and to our son, Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the First Deputy Premier, for their diligent and constant efforts in following up and improving the government action and implementing its programmes. Their approach has accomplished numerous achievements in the quality of the services offered to the citizens, particularly in the housing sector where the outstanding successes deserve to be lauded. "Within this context, we wish to pay tribute to the objectives and results of the first Government Forum that highlighted, through facts and figures, the soundness of the economic orientations of Bahrain's Vision 2030 which was a pioneering initiative in both its timing and features. We do look forward to the continuation of national efforts to build on the forum outcome and concretize the vision. "The ongoing national achievements motivate us to pay tribute to the outstanding successes of competent Bahrainis in all areas, and specifically the recent achievements of the Bahraini youth in international forums and sports events and in which they won gold, silver and bronze medals and raised high the banner of our country. "We do appreciate in this context the contributions of our young national and sports leaders as well as their fully dedicated endeavours to put under the international spotlight the bright and civilized image of Bahrain as a nation that embraces and promotes the values of tolerance and co-existence and supports dialogue among religions and cultures. Bahrain has succeeded in making the international community better aware of its capability to sustain and move forward with such values. "Other dedicated efforts to elevate the status of the nation include the outstanding devotion and remarkable participation of Bahraini women in all areas. Such a commitment dates back to the 1920s and we fully appreciate and support it and we are keen on consolidating their presence and their achievements. On this occasion, we congratulate the Supreme Council for Women on the 15th anniversary of its establishment. We do appreciate its contributions that were built on the previous national efforts that supported the early roles of women. We also appreciate its endeavours to ensure the steady advances of women. "Ladies and Gentlemen, "The Palestinian cause will remain at the forefront of our Arab priorities to reach a just and lasting solution that ensures the legitimate rights of the brotherly Palestinian people to establish their independent state with Jerusalem as its capital, on all the territories occupied in 1967. "We also support the territorial integrity of Syria and the achievement of the aspirations of the Syrian people for security and stability, according to their free will, and in a way that helps Syria revert to its cultural heritage and role within the Arab world. "We will keep our commitment within the framework of the Arab Coalition until legitimacy is restored on all the territories of Yemen, the foreign illegal interference is ended, the suffering of the Yemeni people is alleviated and security and stability are restored. To achieve such an end, we are still ready to offer huge sacrifices. "From this podium, we express our immense pride and great satisfaction with the efforts exerted by the Bahrain Defence Force and its valiant troops while they perform their national duty within the Arab Coalition for the defense of legitimacy in Yemen, under the leadership of the armed forces in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. We are equally proud with their noble efforts in humanitarian operations to offer aid to the brotherly people of Yemen. "Brothers and sisters, "Security and development are closely entwined and through them sustainability is achieved. "Each of them is facing extraordinary challenges that are an ominous threat to the identity, present and future of many peoples in the region. This requires that all forces in the international community to come together in order to confront terrorism, dry up its support and funding, and protect our homelands from all forms of aggression. "We would like, in this regard, to express our thanks and appreciation to our bicameral parliament for its robust positions and positive initiatives in responding to malicious allegations, confronting illegal intrusions and refuting repeated and deliberate fabrications against Bahrain. "We also extend our sincere appreciation and gratitude to the members of the National Guard, the Ministry of Interior and National Security Agency for their sincere efforts to safeguard the nation's security and stability. Such loyal efforts reflect the steady development of these institutions and the high patriotic spirits of their staff. "In conclusion, the Kingdom of Bahrain is moving ahead with its comprehensive and leading development progress, equipped with the deep conviction and strong awareness that building on past achievements is the way forward to consolidate the civil state built on justice and equality, without the exclusion of any one because of his origins, ideas or beliefs. "We will always promote the values of moderation, tolerance and coexistence, both in words and deeds, as we confront extremism and fanaticism. We will also consolidate the values of political action based on the principles of the National Action Charter, the Constitution, respect for the rule of law and the sovereignty of national decisions. "Bahrain will remain a platform of goodness, compassion and peace for the world. "We pray to God to protect our Kingdom and to guide us to the actions that are in the best interests of our loyal people. "Peace and God’s mercy and blessings be upon you." Then, Speaker of the Council of Representatives delivered a statement in which he extended warmest thanks and appreciation to HM King Hamad for patronising the opening ceremony of the third session of the Fourth Legislative Term. He stressed that the royal patronage will usher in a new phase in the work of the National Assembly which he described as a democratic monument spearheaded and advanced by HM the King through the Constitution and the National Action Charter that reflect the free popular will. He affirmed that Bahrain is going through a historical era that will remain engraved in history with golden letters thanks to HM the King's sound and far-sighted vision, which, he said, has made the kingdom a role model for wide popular participation in the decision-making process, and in designing a better future for the nation. The Speaker affirmed that HM the King is the founder of the Reform Project, the protector of religion and the nation, the guarantor of the National Action Charter and the Constitution and the wise leader, who is leading the nation steadfastly towards progress, prosperity and a brighter future for the coming generations. He emphasised that HM the King's directives, the close cooperation with the government, led by His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, and the constant support of HRH Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Premier, have always been the catalysts for success. He extended sincere thanks to the government and the National Assembly members for their dedicated efforts. He affirmed that the rapidly unfolding political developments and the exceptional economic challenges in the region require taking a set of measures to re-structure the national economy while preserving the gains of the citizens. This can be done through reducing expenditure, and increasing and diversifying revenues to be able to overcome them and fulfill the citizens' aspirations, he said, citing HRH the Crown Prince’s words concerning commitment to meeting the citizens’ needs. He stressed that facing the challenges is a common social responsibility, calling for the need to voice support to the nation openly, and rally together against those seeking to undermine the judicial branch and other constitutional establishments, and defame national icons. He voiced full-fledged support to all the legal measures taken to protect the country and rectify the process of political action to ensure that all associations and organisations focus on the national agenda only, adding that those related to attempts to change the system of government to serve foreign agendas must have no place in the national political process after all their actions had been exposed. Al-Mulla called on the citizens to hold on to national unity, and preserve the kingdom's social fabric and the principles of fraternity and co-existence which Bahrain has boasted for hundreds of years. He indicated that the prevailing tolerance and respect among religions have been crowned by the establishment of a Full Professorship Chair, in the field of peaceful coexistence at Italy’s leading university, in the name of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, noting that the honour is a global appreciation of the royal efforts in fostering the values of human rights and peaceful co-existence. He affirmed that the strenuous efforts exerted by government in various fields, upon HM the King's directives, and the fruitful outcomes of the Government Forum 2016, are widely appreciated across the nation. The speaker lauded the dedicated efforts of Bahrainis in various fields, paying tribute to the press and media personnel for the outstanding patriotic role they are playing, as well as Bahraini athletes for their honourable accomplishments at various sport gatherings. He also praised the role played by the Supreme Council for Women in empowering Bahraini women. Al-Mulla also voiced deep pride in the Bahrain Defence Force, the National Guard, the Interior Ministry and the National Security Agency for their patriotic efforts and sacrifices, expressing thanks and appreciation to the Bahraini brave servicemen, and praying to Allah Almighty to rest the souls of the late servicemen in peace. He underlined the ability of Bahrainis to safeguard the nation against foreign interference and terrorist acts. He also slammed politicised human rights organisations for their failure to project the real human rights situation in Bahrain. He also voiced rejection of any foreign laws that may breach the international political norms and laws. He stressed that GCC and Arab security, led by Saudi Arabia, is the best means to confront challenges, stressing that the GCC Union has become a strategic necessity. He called for a unified Arab stance to protect the Syrian people, reiterating Bahrain's principled stance in support of the Palestinian cause. The Speaker affirmed that Al-Khalifa rulers have always been keen on promoting good governance, defending the nation and cementing the unity and cohesion of the Bahraini people. He pledged that the Royal Reform Project will remain a roadmap to build a better future for the coming generations. HM the King then shook hands with the members of the Council of Representatives and the Shura Council. Royal Family members, members of the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, members of the Supreme Judicial Council, clerics, judges, members of the Constitutional Court, ministers, MPs, Shura members, heads of political associations, editors-in-chief of newspapers and magazines, heads of diplomatic missions, senior BDF, Interior Ministry and National Guard officers and academicians attended the ceremony.