Saudi Arabia, Bahrain Deepen Cooperation in Joint Efforts

 Saudi-Bahrain Coordination Council announced the opening of the first office of the Saudi-Bahraini Company (SPA)
Saudi-Bahrain Coordination Council announced the opening of the first office of the Saudi-Bahraini Company (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia, Bahrain Deepen Cooperation in Joint Efforts

 Saudi-Bahrain Coordination Council announced the opening of the first office of the Saudi-Bahraini Company (SPA)
Saudi-Bahrain Coordination Council announced the opening of the first office of the Saudi-Bahraini Company (SPA)

The Saudi-Bahrain Coordination Council held its third meeting on Wednesday, chaired by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, and Bahraini Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa.

During the meeting, they announced the opening of the first office of the Saudi-Bahraini Company, established in November 2022 between the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) and the Sovereign Wealth Fund of Bahrain (Mumtalakat), with an investment of $ 5 billion.

The meeting also saw the announcement of the completion of the construction of King Abdullah Medical City Hospital in Bahrain, which is expected to start operations in mid-2024.

Discussions covered joint projects in training, technology, healthcare, and trade. Agreements were signed across various sectors including energy, finance, culture, education, and media.

At the onset of the meeting, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman welcomed Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, underscoring the strong historical ties between Saudi Arabia and Bahrain.

The Saudi Crown Prince expressed commitment to Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) unity, aiming for stability and prosperity. He also praised the Saudi-Bahrain Coordination Council’s ongoing efforts, aiming to benefit citizens and meet leadership aspirations.

On his part, Bahraini Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa highlighted the strong historical bonds between Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, stressing the importance of meetings like these in boosting strategic partnerships.

He praised Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s efforts in supporting joint projects that aim to enhance growth in both nations.

The Bahraini Crown Prince also applauded the collaborative initiatives of the Saudi-Bahrain Coordination Council, aimed at achieving shared goals.

The meeting, attended by dignitaries and ministers from both sides, underlined the close fraternal relations between Saudi Arabia and Bahrain.

The session concluded with plans for the fourth meeting of the Saudi-Bahrain Coordination Council to take place in Bahrain, with the date to be confirmed through mutual agreement.



Qatar PM Says Gaza Ceasefire Talks Make Some Progress

FILE PHOTO: The minaret of the Great Omari Mosque, which was hit in previous Israeli strike during the war, stands damaged in Gaza City, March 17, 2025. REUTERS/Dawoud Abu Alkas/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: The minaret of the Great Omari Mosque, which was hit in previous Israeli strike during the war, stands damaged in Gaza City, March 17, 2025. REUTERS/Dawoud Abu Alkas/File Photo
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Qatar PM Says Gaza Ceasefire Talks Make Some Progress

FILE PHOTO: The minaret of the Great Omari Mosque, which was hit in previous Israeli strike during the war, stands damaged in Gaza City, March 17, 2025. REUTERS/Dawoud Abu Alkas/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: The minaret of the Great Omari Mosque, which was hit in previous Israeli strike during the war, stands damaged in Gaza City, March 17, 2025. REUTERS/Dawoud Abu Alkas/File Photo

Qatar's prime minister said on Sunday that efforts to reach a new ceasefire in Gaza have made some progress but an agreement between Israel and Hamas to end the war remains elusive.

"We have seen on Thursday a bit of progress compared to other meetings yet we need to find an answer for the ultimate question: how to end this war. That's the key point of the entire negotiations," said Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, who also serves as foreign minister, Reuters reported.

Mossad Director David Barnea traveled to Doha on Thursday to meet Sheikh Mohammed amid efforts to reach a new ceasefire in Gaza, Axios reported last week.

Sheikh Mohammed didn't say which elements of the ceasefire talks had progressed in recent days, but said Hamas and Israel remained at odds over the ultimate goal of negotiations.

He said the militant group is willing to return all remaining Israeli hostages if Israel ends the war in Gaza. But Israel wants Hamas to release the remaining hostages without offering a clear vision on ending the war, he said.

"When you don't have a common objective, a common goal between the parties, I believe the opportunities (to end the war) become very thin," Sheikh Mohammed said at a press conference with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan.

Fidan said talks Turkish officials have held with Hamas had shown the group would be more open to an agreement that goes beyond a ceasefire in Gaza and aims for a lasting solution to the crisis with Israel, including a two-state solution.

Israel resumed its offensive in Gaza on March 18 after a January ceasefire collapsed, saying it would keep up pressure on Hamas until it frees the remaining hostages still held in the enclave. Up to 24 of them are believed to still be alive.

The Gaza war started after Hamas' October 7, 2023 attack. Since then, Israel's offensive on the enclave killed more than 51,400, according to local health officials.