Bahrain - UK hold preparatory meeting

Manama, July 4 (BNA): The preparatory meeting of the Joint Working Group between the Kingdom of Bahrain and the United Kingdom was held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, under the chairmanship of the Undersecretary for International Affairs, Dr. Shaikh Abdulla bin Ahmed bin Abdulla Al Khalifa. The preparatory meeting dealt with the topics to be discussed at the next Ministerial Meeting of the Joint Working Group, which will be held in London on July 19, 2018, under the chairmanship of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Shaikh Khalid bin Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Khalifa, and his British counterpart. The meeting discussed several issues of mutual concern, mainly bilateral relations and means of enhancing them, especially in the economic and investment fields, and strengthening relations in the sectors of education, science, innovation and scientific research, as well as cooperation at the level of higher education between universities in both countries. It also discussed establishing a working group in this regard, and ways to develop cooperation in the fields of energy, transportation, water treatment and the environment, and other related projects. The meeting also reviewed regional and international issues of common concern, in relation to regional developments and cooperation in the fight against terrorism. Dr. Shaikh Abdulla stressed the importance of enhancing the strong friendship and close alliance between the Kingdom of Bahrain and the United Kingdom, expressing his appreciation and satisfaction for the mutual desire to strengthen cooperation and joint coordination, thus enhancing the growing partnership between the two friendly countries. He also noted the active British role in ensuring the stability of the Gulf region, as well as bilateral cooperation in the fight against terrorism. In this context, the Undersecretary for International Affairs welcomed the British Parliament's approval last December of the UK Government's decision to classify several groups as terrorist organizations, due to the fact that they practice terrorism and target innocent people and property in the Kingdom. The Undersecretary also expressed his optimism in consolidating the prosperous relations between the two countries, especially as they have promising economic and investment opportunities, indicating that the Bahrain Economic Vision 2030 has showcased its objectives to diversify sources of income and attract qualitative investments under an advanced infrastructure and organization, and to attract services based on technical and financial technology, based on the Kingdom's advanced position as a regional hub for logistics and entrepreneurship. He also pointed out that thanks to the reform approach of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, the comprehensive reforms and the great qualitative gains witnessed by the Kingdom of Bahrain in various fields represent a regional model for reform, sustainable development and human rights as a whole. The Undersecretary also affirmed the solid stance of the Kingdom of Bahrain, in regards to regional and international issues, stressing that the countries of moderation fighting terrorism are the core of security, stability and prosperity that aim to establish peace in the region.