Russian business delegation to set up office in Bahrain

Manama, Apr 7 (BNA) – Russia's Ambassador to Bahrain, Victor Smirnov, today announced that a Russian business delegation of agricultural bankers and specialists in field of energy will visit Bahrain next week to discuss the possibility of establishing a regional office in Bahrain. The delegation will meet senior officials and members of Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry, he said. The Ambassador, in a statement during a meeting with the Chairman of Council of Representatives' Human Rights Committee, MP Ahmed Al-Saati, MP Ahmed Al-Saati, said arrangements are underway for a visit by a Duma delegation, led by Chairman of Foreign Relations Committee, to Bahrain at the end of current month, in response to Bahrain's parliamentary delegation's visit to Moscow last year. He noted the visit will boost the political and parliamentary relations between the two countries. Ambassador Smirnov congratulated Bahrain on the success of the Formula 1 Race, noting the participation of a Russian driver in this year's competition. He revealed that intensive arrangements are underway in preparation for the upcoming visit of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince, First Deputy Prime Minister, to Russia later time this year. He welcomed the positive development of the bilateral relations, stressed his government commitment to supporting Bahrain's stability and its condemnation of violence and terrorism and the need to resort to political dialogue to solve all political differences. He presented a detailed explanation about the political development relating to the recent Ukraine conflict and the decision taken by the Russian parliament regarding the Crimean region to join Russia based on a referendum that favoured the move. He justified the return of Crimea to Russian sovereignty as related to Russia's national security and to the need to protect the interests of its people. He stressed his country's decision in this regard was final and non-negotiable, wishing to solve the Ukrainian crisis through diplomatic means. MP Al-Saati called upon the Bahraini government to further strengthen relations with Russia for its supportive stance towards Bahrain, stressing that despite the exchange of visits and the cooperation agreements signed between the two sides, the volume of bilateral trade and investment still does not meet the set objectives. MJ