Interior Minister meets joint GCC delegation

Manama, Nov. 17 (BNA):  General Shaikh Rashid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, Minister of Interior, received a joint delegation from the Secretariat-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security.

The delegation was led by Brigadier Hamad Ajlan Al Amimi, GCC Assistant Secretary-General for Security Affairs, and Hamad Saif Al Mashghouni, Acting Executive Director of the Air Ports Sector at the UAE Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security.

Lieutenant General Tariq Al Hassan, Chief of Public Security, and Shaikh Hisham bin Abdulrahman Al Khalifa, the Interior Ministry Undersecretary for Nationality, Passports and Residence Affairs (NPRA) also attended the meeting.

The minister expressed Bahrain’s deep appreciation for the historical ties with the United Arab Emirates, and underscored the robust security cooperation and coordination between the two countries. He noted the importance of strengthening the exchange of expertise and successful practices within a unified framework to safeguard collective security and protect the interests and achievements of GCC states.

General Shaikh Rashid bin Abdullah underscored that the adoption of the first phase of the "Single Point" system, recently approved by GCC Interior Ministers at their meeting in Kuwait, allows GCC citizens to complete all travel procedures from a single point, which will begin on a trial basis between Bahrain and the UAE.  He noted that this forms part of ongoing efforts to reinforce GCC solidarity in addressing security challenges.  He stressed the significance of utilising advanced technologies and artificial intelligence capabilities in this regard.

The minister underscored the importance of developing port operations, enhancing digital integration, improving technical readiness, and promoting the exchange of expertise between the competent authorities in both countries, in a manner that contributes to enhancing service efficiency and streamlining procedures within the framework of advancing joint Gulf cooperation.

The meeting also reviewed several security-related topics and discussed means to strengthen cooperation and exchange expertise to further enhance joint efforts.