Bahrain’s King Lauds Saudi, UAE, Kuwaiti Support

King of Bahrain Sheikh Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa attends Arab summit in Riyadh in this file photo taken on January 21, 2013. REUTERS/Fahad Shadeed
King of Bahrain Sheikh Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa attends Arab summit in Riyadh in this file photo taken on January 21, 2013. REUTERS/Fahad Shadeed
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Bahrain’s King Lauds Saudi, UAE, Kuwaiti Support

King of Bahrain Sheikh Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa attends Arab summit in Riyadh in this file photo taken on January 21, 2013. REUTERS/Fahad Shadeed
King of Bahrain Sheikh Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa attends Arab summit in Riyadh in this file photo taken on January 21, 2013. REUTERS/Fahad Shadeed

Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa stressed the vitality of achieving fiscal balance, economic diversification and developing the oil energy sector in Bahrain. His remarks were made on Wednesday at the Kingdom’s fifth legislative parliamentary session.

King Hamad praised Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Kuwait for supporting Bahrain in achieving financial stability, stressing that Manama seeks economic integration with fellow Gulf Cooperation Council member states.

"We convey our sincere thanks to our brothers in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the UAE and the State of Kuwait, for their noble stances, which we highly appreciate, in supporting our national efforts to achieve the sought after financial balance and economic growth, through which we will work to strengthen facets of our integration and economic cooperation with our brothers, within the context of our common policies that aim to maintain the security and stability of the region and safeguard its gains,” he said in his address.

King Hamad also reiterated enduring commitment towards the Palestinian cause, saying his Kingdom will continue to support the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital.

“As part of our commitment to our Arab and Islamic surroundings, we will continue to defend our Arab and Islamic causes in international forums, and the Palestinian issue is at the forefront of our interests. We will seek that the Palestinian people obtain their legitimate rights, including the establishment of an independent state with East Jerusalem as its capital,” King Hamad said.

“We thank all the relevant State institutions for their outstanding performance in ensuring the success of the electoral process with its impressive outcomes, and which witnessed the participation of individuals that greatly pleased us… and we thank them for their keenness which demonstrates their solid will,” he said.

“Their participation is a great example of the commitment of Bahraini citizens to managing the affairs of their country,” King Hamad added.



Gulf Foreign Ministers Discuss Unifying Stance on Regional, International Issues

Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Foreign Ministers after their meeting in Kuwait (KUNA)
Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Foreign Ministers after their meeting in Kuwait (KUNA)
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Gulf Foreign Ministers Discuss Unifying Stance on Regional, International Issues

Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Foreign Ministers after their meeting in Kuwait (KUNA)
Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Foreign Ministers after their meeting in Kuwait (KUNA)

Gulf foreign ministers met on Thursday to discuss key regional and international issues, including the Palestinian conflict and ongoing violations in Palestinian territories.

They called for an immediate ceasefire and a fair, lasting solution to the conflict. The ministers also reviewed security developments in Lebanon and other regional matters.

The discussions aim to prepare a unified stance for the 45th Gulf Cooperation Council summit in Kuwait next Sunday, where it will be presented to the leaders.

Led by Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Abdullah Al-Yahya, the foreign ministers met to discuss boosting Gulf cooperation across various areas. They aimed to build on past efforts and continue advancing progress in different sectors.

GCC leaders will gather on Sunday to discuss key regional and international issues and strengthen Gulf cooperation.

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah attended the 162nd preparatory meeting for the summit in Kuwait on Thursday.

The meeting focused on the Gulf's shared progress and ways to improve it, as well as the latest developments in Gaza and Lebanon. Ministers called for an immediate ceasefire and a fair, lasting solution to the Palestinian cause.

The meeting also reviewed reports on the implementation of decisions from the 44th GCC summit and discussed strategic relations with other countries and global groups.

The Assistant Secretary-General for Political Affairs and Negotiations at the GCC, Dr. Abdulaziz Al-Owaishiq, stated that the upcoming GCC summit will address key regional issues, in addition to military, security, and economic matters that impact Gulf citizens.

Thursday’s meeting was chaired by Al-Yahya, with heads of delegations from GCC member states in attendance, along with GCC Secretary-General Jassim Al-Budaiwi.