HM King chairs cabinet session

Manama, Feb. 15 (BNA): His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa has chaired, in the presence of His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa and His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Premier, today’s weekly Cabinet session at Gudaibiya Palace. HM King Hamad reviewed the overall domestic, regional and global developments, Cabinet Secretary General Dr. Yasser bin Isa Al Nasser said in a statement following the session. HM the King lauded the patriotism shown by citizens and various public and private institutions in celebrating the 15th Anniversary of the National Action Charter (NAC). "Through the National Action Charter, on which our Democratic Reforms are based, we have seen much success. We have modernized Bahrain’s government and institutions, while simultaneously confronting all challenges firmly and resolutely,” HM the King said. Inspired by the spirit of the National Action Charter, the leaders and people rallied together in an epic move to continue building our institutions, laws, and furtherpreserving the rights of all, HM the King added. His Majesty the King lauded the tremendous efforts put forth by the government, under the chairmanship of His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, to enhance development and promote democracy as spelled out in the National Action Charter. HM King Hamad called on everyone to draw inspiration from the 'spirit of unity' entrenched in the NAC, which led to fulfilling citizens’ aspirations for development, modernisation, freedom, democracy and progress. The King stressed that such a spirit should prevail in everything we strive to achieve. His Majesty the King then praised Bahrain’s keenness to activate and bolster its ties and broaden areas of cooperation with friendly countries. In this regard, HM King Hamad informed the Cabinet about his recent visit to Russia, where he held talks with President Vladimir Putin on the latest regional and international developments, and on the need to ensure the stability of the Middle East. HM King Hamad hailed the Russian leadership's great appreciation of Bahrain and its policies. He added that Russia is keen to develop bilateral relations and open new horizons of cooperation in the best interests of the two countries and their friendly people. Regarding Bahrain's relations with Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, His Majesty the King issued directives to launch joint GCC development projects that consolidate GCC action, enhance cooperation among its states, optimise GCC citizens’ gains and meet GCC energy, water and infrastructure needs. On the domestic level, HM the King issued instructions to launch more government projects in partnership with the private sector to support the industry sector on the one hand, and serve the tourism and trade sectors, on the other. Reviewing the security and economic challenges the region is currently facing, HM King Hamad reiterated his keenness on distancing Bahrain from security and economic threats from which many countries are suffering. This can be done by committing to work collectively with brotherly and friendly countries to confront security threats within the GCC and to participate in the Saudi-led Arab Coalition to Support Legitimacy in Yemen. He also stressed the need to participate in the largest military manoeuvre in the history of the region, the "North Thunder." The “North Thunder” is headed by Saudi Arabia, with the participation of 20 Arab and Islamic countries to protect against the dangers of terrorism and to prepare for facing the challenges posed by terrorist organisations, HM King Hamad explained. While lauding the performance of the government and its key role in maintaining security, and political and economic stability, HM the King emphasised that the challenges, especially in the economic area, should by no means impede development and should be overcome to achieve the interests of all citizens. In this context, HM King Hamad lauded the Bahraini citizens' understanding and awareness of the requirements of the current phase, and the policies it imposes. His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman extended sincere thanks and appreciation to His Majesty the King for his sound visions through which he determined the Kingdom's policies at the local, regional and international levels amid this current critical phase. HRH the Prime Minister extended congratulations to HM King Hamad on the milestones attained by the Kingdom since the inauguration of the National Action Charter. HRH the Prime Minister said it proves the soundness of the far-sighted royal visions. And he affirming that the NAC, on which the royal and the popular wills converged, and which heralded an era of wide-ranging political participation, democracy, freedoms and development, is still capable of bringing about more achievements as long as the shared values still exist. HRH Premier affirmed that the rapidly-unfolding regional economic and political developments require extending hands of cooperation to everyone and enhancing relations that are based on mutual respect. Guided by the royal directives, the government is keen to adopt initiatives that contribute to reducing the impacts of the security and economic challenges on Bahrain and its people, HRH the Prime Minister said. He stressed that the sound royal instructions will be a source of inspiration for the government as it implements more development projects that would benefit Bahraini citizens.