Bahrain, Belgium discuss joint cooperation

Brussels, Feb.24 (BNA): The Undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for International Affairs, Dr. Shaikh Abdullah bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, led Bahrain's delegation during the second meeting of political consultation between the Kingdom and Belgium held at Egmont Palace. The Belgian side was headed by the Director General for Bilateral Affairs at the Belgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Anick Van Calster, and comprised the Director for Middle East & North Africa directorate at the Belgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Johan Vercammen and Belgium's Ambassador to Kuwait, Piet Heirbaut. Calster valued Bahrain's keenness to continue dialogue through the meeting, referring to the visit of the Belgian delegation to the Kingdom in April 2016 to hold the first round of political consultations between the two sides. She also praised the openness of the Bahraini society and expressed her appreciation for the Kingdom's approval of her country's request to appoint an Honorary Consul to Bahrain, thus paving the way for future cooperation between the two friendly countries. Dr. Shaikh Abdullah said that one of the priorities of Bahrain's foreign policy is to enhance levels of cooperation and mutual coordination frameworks and strengthen ties and relations with all friendly countries. He also noted that there are challenges that require collective action, mainly the fight against terrorism and energy security, and therefore Bahrain supports political dialogues. He said that the signing of a memorandum of understanding for political consultation between the ministries of foreign affairs of the two countries in September 2013 was an important starting point for the consolidation of mutual cooperation. The Undersecretary for International Affairs stressed that Bahrain believes in the importance of human rights, which is a foundation of the reform approach of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, in the framework of law and Institutions, despite the desperate attempts of outlaw groups that have external policies to exploit the freedoms available to politicize those rights in an immoral way. He highlighted Bahrain’s tolerance and respect for religious and public freedoms, empowerment of women, provision of care for the needy and granting the rights of expatriate workers. He also noted the Kingdoms judicial independence, political participation, and human and sustainable development, adding that any individual cases are dealt with immediately by independent institutions through a re-examination of procedures with more transparency, noting that 75 of the 83 countries commended the third national Universal Periodic Review of Human Rights in Geneva. The Undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for International Affairs highlighted the success of Bahrain Economic Vision 2030 in diversifying sources of income and attracting various investments, noting that the national economy is currently the most developed in the Gulf region. He added that there are excellent investment opportunities through which economic cooperation between the two kingdoms can be enhanced, pointing out that the Kingdom of Bahrain will host the Global Entrepreneurship Congress in 2019. Dr. Shaikh Abdullah thanked the Belgian side for the constructive communication, looking forward for more meetings and visits that enhance relations between the two countries, eventually leading to a developed partnership. They discussed ways to promote and develop bilateral relations and joint cooperation in various fields, including economic affairs. The two sides also exchanged views on the regional and international situations and developments of mutual interest, as well as the situation in the Middle East and the fight against extremism and terrorism.