Speaker holds talks with her UAE counterpart

Abu Dhabi, Feb. 2 (BNA): Speaker of the Council of Representatives, Fawzia bint Abdulla Zainal, has affirmed the distinguished unique nature of the deep-rooted Bahraini-UAE relations, established by the founding fathers, among the rulers of Bahrain and the UAE, reaching their peak during the eras of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, and President, His Highness Shaikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, of the UAE. She added that the long-standing relations have been based on solid foundations of mutual love and cooperation in the political, economic, security, social, cultural and development fields, crowned in joint development projects and joint action thanks to the unwavering keenness of the senior officials and governments, led by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and his brothers, UAE Vice-President, Prime Minister and Dubai Ruler, HH Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum, and Abu Dhabi Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, HH Shaikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan. Speaker Zainal made the statements while participating in the Bahraini-UAE parliamentary talks held today at the premises of the UAE Federal National Council (FNC), on the sidelines of her official visit to Abu Dhabi. The talks session included Speaker Fawzia bint Abdulla Zainal and the Speaker of the UAE’s FNC, Saqr Ghobash. She affirmed that Bahrain and the UAE are one country, with a common destiny and solid fraternal relations, reflected in their unity and solidarity, under all circumstances and in the face of all challenges, becoming a role model for relations between countries, adding that the intensive meetings and visits of their leaders and officials reflect their keenness to bolster their cooperation and coordination in order to better serve their brotherly peoples. While tackling the terrorist Houthi militia’s attacks on civilian facilities in the UAE, Speaker Zainal condemned in the strongest terms such terrorist crimes that violate international conventions and target innocent civilians, putting the security of the region and international interests at risk. She also reiterated the kingdom’s firm stance in support of the UAE, and backing of all the measures it deems necessary to defend its territories, and safeguard the security of its citizens and residents. She praised the quartet summit held recently in Abu Dhabi, including Bahraini, UAE and Egyptian leaders, noting that it confirms the importance of coordination in order to come up with unified stances vis-à-vis Arab issues, peace in the region and combating all forms of terrorism and extremism. She stressed the importance of parliamentary stances in supporting regional security and stability as well as in calling for the international community to bear its responsibility in achieving stability and security for societies and combating terrorism, violence and extremism. In this regard, she affirmed that the Bahraini-UAE parliamentary cooperation is growing steadily, in light of the keenness of the legislative branches in the two countries to further bolster bilateral cooperation in all fields. The speaker and members of the Bahraini delegation expressed thanks and appreciation to the UAE FNC speaker and members for their warm welcome and hospitality, in addition to their unwavering efforts to strengthen relations between the two countries in the parliamentary field. Speaker of the UAE’s FNC welcomed the Representatives Council Speaker and her accompanying delegation, stressing that the current phase proves the depth of the brotherly relations between the two countries, their common destiny and similar interests at all levels. He affirmed the UAE’s FNC’s keenness to strengthen cooperation with Bahrain’s Representatives Council in various fields, including joint cooperation at regional and international parliamentary gatherings. He also highlighted the UAE’s FNC’s desire to fully activate the memoranda of understanding and cooperation signed with Bahrain’s Council of Representatives, as well as to inaugurate a new phase in which the two sides launch joint programmes and initiatives.