HRH Premier calls for comprehensive Arab cooperation to thwart plots

Manama, Sept. 1 (BNA): His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa has affirmed that the current regional and global situation requires a more comprehensive Arab political, economic and security cooperation in order to deal with it in a more efficient way. All joint steps should be takenfrom a shared responsibility perspective, which, he said, is confirmed by GCC countries' actions at the international level to support Arab stances. HRH Premier called for the need to intensify meetings between senior GCC officials, stressing that regular periodical meetings can no longer cope with the successive and rapidly-unfolding developments in the region. He called for the need to be vigilant and draw lessons from the situation the region has been going through, warning that the "state of instability prevailing in some countries as a result of the plots orchestrated by the enemies of the Nation may move to any other country unless we take caution, be vigilant and adhere to comprehensive cooperation as a strategic option to thwart evil conspiracies staged against the Arab Nation". HRH Premier made the statements as he received at the Gudaibiya Palace today the ambassadors of Saudi Arabia, Dr. Abdulla bin Abdul-Malik Al-Sheikh, UAE, Abdul-Ridha Abdulla Khoury and Jordan, Mohammed Ali Siraj. HRH the Prime Minister lauded the role played by Saudi Arabia, under the leadership of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, in steering joint GCC action towards more cohesion for the sake of maintaining GCC countries' international status as an influential economic and political entity. Meanwhile, HRH Premier praised the UAE's good efforts, and keenness on championing Arab causes and supporting GCC solidarity thanks to the sound policies of President Shaikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan. He also appreciated the role played by Jordan in supporting Arab issues, and valued highly its honourable supportive stances towards the Kingdom of Bahrain. HRH the Prime Minister reviewed with the ambassadors a number of issues and topics of mutual concern, lauding the kingdom's outstanding relations with Saudi Arabia, UAE and Jordan, and the ever-progressing cooperation with them. The Saudi Ambassador said that HRH Premier enjoys a prestigious status in the hearts of Arab citizens thanks to his wisdom and statesmanship. Speaking on behalf of the ambassadors, he Saudi envoy expressed pride in HRH the Prime Minister's keen interest in strengthening ties with Saudi Arabia, UAE and Jordan. He also hailed his accurate diagnosis of the situation in the Arab and GCC countries, and the challenges facing cooperation and complementarity among those states.