Bahrain-Indonesia first political consultation meeting held

Jakarta, Aug. 3 (BNA): The first meeting of political consultation between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Bahrain and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia was held in Jakarta. The consultation was led by the Undersecretary for International Affairs, Dr. Shaikh Abdulla bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, and the Director General for Asia-Pacific and African Affairs of Indonesia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs Dr. Desra Percaya. Dr. Shaikh Abdulla expressed his honour to visit Indonesia, and implement the Memorandum of Understanding on Political Consultation between the two Foreign Ministries, signed in September 2015. He also affirmed that Bahrain is keen to strengthen cooperation relations with the great Islamic country in various fields, in a manner that benefits the two friendly countries and peoples. The meeting explored mutually beneficial opportunities, assessed pending matters, and exchanged views on regional and international issues of common interest. Dr. Shaikh Abdulla also showcased the common elements between Bahrain and Indonesia, which pave the way for a strong and extended partnership, especially that the archipelago site in both countries reflect the characteristics of openness, culture, trade movement and diversity. He also noted that two countries have important contributions through their membership in regional and international organizations, as the cooperation between the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) creates an economic platform for interaction and growth with the world, as well as an additional cooperation within the framework of the Asian Cooperation Dialogue, that seeks to promote understanding and friendship between Asian countries. The Undersecretary reviewed the principles of the foreign policy of the Kingdom of Bahrain, which His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, implemented through international and humanitarian principles, and based on the values of pride, wisdom, brotherhood and interaction, with the aim to spread peace, security and stability. He also noted that this reflects the success of the Kingdom's leadership in achieving comprehensive reform, sustainable development and qualitative initiatives. Dr. Shaikh Abdulla stressed that the relations between the two countries are heading towards further progress and development at all levels, especially as there is a mutual desire to maximize cooperation in the fields of energy, Islamic banking, technology, entrepreneurship, in addition to other areas, such as the establishment of small and medium enterprises, infrastructure, tourism, various exhibitions, health care, youth and sports, and exchange of academic and research experiences. In this regard, various ideas and visions have been exchanged concerning many of the distinct investment opportunities through which the economic and investment cooperation frameworks can be developed, based on the coordination between the Bahrain Economic Vision 2030 and Indonesia's Strategic Vision to build a knowledge-based society. The Undersecretary for International Affairs praised the positive role played by the Indonesian community in the Kingdom of Bahrain and its contribution to the national development process. He pointed out the Kingdom's keenness to provide appropriate standards and ensure the safety and protection of the resident communities as partners in development and humanity, which is reflected through the Kingdom’s achievement of Tier 1 status in the U.S. State Department’s 2018 Trafficking in Persons (TIP) report, making Bahrain the only Middle Eastern country that has succeeded in doing so. In response to the Indonesian side commending the Kingdom of Bahrain's firm and supportive stance against terrorist acts, Dr. Shaikh Abdulla stressed that the Kingdom's positions are clear, consistent and effective towards this dangerous phenomenon, especially that terrorism is considered a vicious threat imposed upon the countries of the world, and is one of the most serious violations of human rights, in view of the fact that rogue states sponsor, manage and fund terrorism, as well as harbors their groups , in order to destabilize international peace and security. He also stressed that the comprehensive treatment of terrorism is the most successful and effective, especially if international efforts are combined to eradicate this scourge. For his part, the Director General for Asia-Pacific and African Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia, Dr. Desra Percaya, expressed his country's aspiration to enhance cooperation and coordination with the friendly Kingdom of Bahrain, stressing that the Kingdom of Bahrain has achieved remarkable developments thanks to the wise leadership of His Majesty the King as a reformist leader, who makes the Islamic world proud, wishing the Kingdom of Bahrain further progress and prosperity. At the end of the meeting, the minutes of the First Meeting of Political Consultation between the two countries were signed. The two sides agreed to hold the Second Meeting of Political Consultation in Bahrain.