Saudi Arabia's King Salman received Bahrain's King Hamad on Wednesday in Riyadh, where the two monarchs discussed several files and developments in the presence of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
King Hamad expressed his contentment for meeting King Salman, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, to discuss developments in the region. He affirmed that the meeting is a continuation of coordination between the leaderships in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia.
Bahrain's ruler reiterated his appreciation for efforts made by King Salman with regards to issues in the Gulf, Arab world and Muslim world, and for the strategic role that Saudi Arabia plays at regional and international levels to ensure a better future for people around the world.
Earlier, King Hamad was received by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman at King Khalid International Airport on arrival.
Later, a joint statement was issued on the occasion of the Bahraini King's visit to Saudi Arabia.
It indicated that a session of official talks was held between the leaderships of the two countries in the presence of the Crown Prince, during which aspects of relations between the two countries, cooperation and coordination between the two sides at all levels were reviewed.
According to the statement, the two sides stressed the contents of the Al-Ula Declaration issued on January 5, 2021.
About bilateral relations, the two sides directed the quick implementation of the King Hamad Causeway project, which will link the two kingdoms. Establishing the Causeway will constitute a milestone and distinctive addition to the history of Bahraini-Saudi relations.
The two sides praised the outstanding results of the second meeting of the Saudi-Bahraini Coordination Council, which was held in Bahrain on December 10, 2021.
The Council's meeting was co-chaired by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Bahrain's Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad. Several political, military, security, commercial, investment and cultural initiatives were launched during the meeting.
In the security and military field, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain expressed their satisfaction with the existing cooperation.
In the joint statement, the two monarchs emphasized the importance of continuing to work on developing mutual military cooperation and strengthening security cooperation between the two Kingdoms.
Moreover, they warned against the danger of the growing capabilities of terrorist groups in the region and Iran's smuggling of missile capabilities and drones to these groups to target the region's countries.
As for energy and climate change, the two sides praised the close cooperation between their Kingdoms and the successful efforts of the OPEC+ countries aimed at stabilizing global oil markets.
The two Kings agreed to enhance ways of cooperation on international climate policies and focus on emissions rather than sources through the application of the circular economy approach to carbon and the "Green Middle East" initiative.
With respect to economic and commercial affairs, the two sides affirmed their determination to raise the pace of joint economic cooperation by stimulating public and private sectors, encouraging the exchange of visits between business owners, and establishing economic projects in the two countries that serve two kingdoms' national visions for transformation.
In the fields of culture, media, tourism, and social development, the two sides stressed the importance of highlighting the positive image of both countries and strengthening and developing cooperation in these areas.
The two sides also reviewed issues of common interest on the regional and international arenas.
They underscored their continued support to achieve everything that would establish peace and stability in the Middle East and the world.
The two leaders also highlighted the importance of reaching a comprehensive and just settlement of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict in accordance with the two-state solution.
The two kings' views aligned with each other regarding a multitude of regional files that included Yemen, Iraq, Lebanon, Syria, Sudan, Afghanistan, and Libya.
Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Nayef Falah Mubarak Al-Hajraf said that the visit of King Hamad to Saudi Arabia embodies the depth of the historic and distinguished relations between the two countries and their peoples.
In a statement to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), Al-Hajraf said that the Bahraini King's visit and meetings with King Salman and the Crown Prince proved the distinguished position enjoyed by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in the hearts of all Bahrainis.
The GCC Secretary-General said that the GCC citizens appreciate the visit of the King of Bahrain to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and highly value the tremendous efforts exerted by the GCC leaders to enhance the joint GCC action and achieve their aspirations.
For his part, the Minister of Information Affairs of Bahrain Ali Bin Mohammad Al-Rumaihi confirmed that the visit of Bahrain's King Hamad to Saudi Arabia and his meeting with King Salman emphasizes the great support and mutual interest in the historical relations between the two kingdoms.
The two kingdoms seek to develop them in various fields, believing in the depth of ties, unity of purpose, and a common destiny.
Al-Rumaihi indicated, in a statement to SPA, that what King Hamad stressed during the visit is that "Bahrain always stands aligned with Saudi Arabia, and it will remain the main pillar of the region's security and stability."
