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)
TT

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.



Saudi Arabia Urges Global Support for Two-State Solution Alliance

A group photo from the third Asia Cooperation Dialogue summit in Doha, Qatar (SPA)
A group photo from the third Asia Cooperation Dialogue summit in Doha, Qatar (SPA)
TT

Saudi Arabia Urges Global Support for Two-State Solution Alliance

A group photo from the third Asia Cooperation Dialogue summit in Doha, Qatar (SPA)
A group photo from the third Asia Cooperation Dialogue summit in Doha, Qatar (SPA)

The ongoing Israeli war on Gaza and Lebanon, along with rising regional tensions, took center stage at the third Asia Cooperation Dialogue (ACD) summit in Doha, which began on Thursday.
Saudi Arabia urged countries to back the two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict as a key step toward resolving the Middle East crisis.
Speaking on behalf of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan attended the ACD summit and highlighted how continued violence in the region is disrupting international trade and fueling political tensions, which threaten investments and economic cooperation.
“The continuation of aggression and violations in the region hinder the movement of international trade and increase political tensions that threaten the flow of investments and economic cooperation between the countries of the region and the world,” he said.
He called for peaceful and diplomatic solutions to regional conflicts to ensure the region’s prosperity.
“We thank Asia Cooperation Dialogue countries for their support for the two-state solution and their recognition of the State of Palestine, and we urge the rest of the world to follow suit,” Prince Faisal said, reminding that the situation has prompted the Kingdom to work with “brothers and allies in establishing a Global Alliance to Implement the Two-State Solution.”
He stressed that the current unrest in Palestine and Lebanon is a major barrier to economic and commercial development in the region.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian reaffirmed Iran’s continued support for resistance groups.
“The Zionist enemy will be punished, and we will keep supporting the resistance until Palestine is liberated,” said Pezeshkian.
Also speaking at the ACD summit, he emphasized: “Those who violate human rights must know that resistance is strong and cannot be eliminated.”
Pezeshkian reiterated Iran’s backing for Palestinian resistance.
After meeting with a Hamas delegation in Doha, Pezeshkian warned that Israel’s ongoing actions had led Iran’s military to deliver a decisive response.
“Israel couldn’t commit these crimes without backing from the US and Europe. If Israel makes any mistake against Iran, it will face a much stronger retaliation than Tuesday’s attack,” he said.
Qatar’s Emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, denounced Israel’s actions in Gaza as “genocide” and warned of the consequences of not holding Israel accountable for its crimes against humanity.
Speaking at the summit, Sheikh Tamim said: “Qatar has long warned about the dangers of not addressing Israel’s crimes.”
He pointed to the escalating violence in Gaza, noting that true security can only be achieved through a just peace, which includes creating an independent Palestinian state within the 1967 borders.
He stressed that Qatar will continue to support the Palestinian people in their fight for their legitimate rights.
“Israel’s relentless attacks on civilians in Gaza and other occupied areas have killed over 41,000 innocent people. What’s happening is genocide, and Gaza is being made uninhabitable to force its residents out,” said Sheikh Tamim.
He also condemned Israeli airstrikes on Lebanon, accusing Israel of using international inaction to expand settlements in the West Bank and prepare for annexation.
“We believe in de-escalating tensions and respecting nations’ sovereignty,” he added, stressing that Israel is taking advantage of global silence to push its agenda in the West Bank and Lebanon.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas also called for urgent international intervention to stop Israeli aggression in Gaza and Lebanon.
He warned that Israel’s attacks have destroyed over 90% of Gaza’s infrastructure.
“Peace cannot coexist with occupation, genocide, and the denial of the Palestinian people’s rights,” Abbas reaffirmed at the ACD summit.