Saudi Arabia, Bahrain Unveil Coordination Council

King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa receives Saudi Foreign Minister Ibrahim al-Assaf in Manama on Sunday. (BNA)
King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa receives Saudi Foreign Minister Ibrahim al-Assaf in Manama on Sunday. (BNA)
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Saudi Arabia, Bahrain Unveil Coordination Council

King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa receives Saudi Foreign Minister Ibrahim al-Assaf in Manama on Sunday. (BNA)
King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa receives Saudi Foreign Minister Ibrahim al-Assaf in Manama on Sunday. (BNA)

In a new step for bilateral integration, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain signed Sunday the minutes of the establishment of their Coordination Council that would be tasked with coordinating various political, military, economic, investment, media and social stances between them.

The signing came as Bahraini King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa received Saudi Foreign Minister Ibrahim al-Assaf in Manama on Sunday.

“The Council is important for enhancing coordination, cooperation and complementarity between the two countries in various political, economic, investment, development, military and security fields, as well as in following up on the progress of work in all joint projects and initiatives, within the two kingdoms’ deep-rooted relations,” the Bahraini King said, wishing the council every success in bringing about more prosperity for the two brotherly peoples and countries.

King Hamad expressed his sincere thanks and appreciation to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, praising the constant efforts of Saudi Arabia, under his leadership, to support Bahrain and its people.

He also stressed the depth of the long-standing solid Saudi-Bahraini relations, which are based on strong pillars of fraternity, as well as common visions, understanding and coordination.

He hailed Saudi Arabia’s role in strengthening joint Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) action, as well as its keenness on defending Arab and Islamic interests and strengthening the pillars of peace, security and stability region wide, affirming that Bahrain will always remain with Saudi Arabia, out of its belief in the two kingdoms’ common goal and destiny.

During his visit, Assaf also held talks with his Bahraini counterpart Shaikh Khalid bin Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Khalifa, who said Saudi Arabia is the pillar and backbone of stability in the region.

Its stances will always bear witness to the highest sense of fraternity and the common destiny that brings the two countries together, he declared.

“The establishment of the Coordination Council between the Kingdom of Bahrain and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is a new strategic initiative that will reinforce the mechanisms of bilateral cooperation at all levels,” he said.



King Salman Orders One-Year Extension of the Citizen Account Program

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. (SPA)
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. (SPA)
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King Salman Orders One-Year Extension of the Citizen Account Program

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. (SPA)
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. (SPA)

Upon the recommendation of Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince, Prime Minister and Chairman of the Council of Economic and Development Affairs, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud ordered on Monday that the Citizen Account Program be extended, in its current framework, until the end of 2025.

The directive also includes a one-year extension of the additional support to the program’s beneficiaries, as well as the continuation of the program’s registration process.

The royal directive reflects the Saudi leadership’s keenness on citizens. The additional support to the program’s beneficiaries was already extended under a royal directive in July 2022.