HM King opens second session of the fourth legislative term

Manama, Oct. 11 (BNA): His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa patronised today, 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, the opening of the second session of the Fourth Legislative Term. Upon arrival of the Royal motorcade to the Isa Cultural Centre, escorted by Police Cavalry, HM King Hamad was welcomed by the Speaker of the Council of Representatives Ahmed bin Ibrahim Al-Mulla and Chairman of the Shura Council Ali bin Saleh Al Saleh. The National Anthem was played, and then HM the King headed to the Grand Conference Hall of the Isa Cultural Centre where some Holy Quran verses were recited. Addressing the session, HM the King affirmed that priority is given to the interests of the citizens, being the real assets of the nation, stressing that the kingdom's development programmes will continue in all sectors despite challenges. HM the King lauded the role of the Legislative Branch in serving the kingdom and promoting the democratic values and the Reform Project. HM King Hamad called for concerted national efforts to develop the nation, amid the rapidly-unfolding regional and global developments, particularly at the economic level. HM King Hamad voiced pride in the Legislative Branch's efforts to assume its constitutional duties in the best way. The rapid developments in the region, especially at the economic level, have required the kingdom to take a number of measures, including the merger of some ministries and government departments to alleviate the financial burden borne by the state, affirming that development projects and services that serve the citizens will continue, and will not be affected, HM King Hamad said. HM the King extended thanks and appreciation to 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, for their keenness to develop government work and follow-up on the implementation of its programmes. HM the King noted that Bahrain has foiled plots against it thanks to the vigilance and awareness of its society. On Yemen, HM the King said that the kingdom took the right decision by joining the Arab Coalition to support legitimacy there, paying tribute to Bahraini servicemen for their heroism and sacrifices. He prayed to Allah Almighty to rest the souls of the martyrs of the nation in eternal peace, adding that a National Martyrs Day will be marked on December 17, coinciding with the Accession Day. HM King Hamad called for stepping up Arab efforts to provide relief aid to refugees in Arab countries, enhance Arab solidarity and support Arab issues, particularly the Palestinian one. The following is the full text of HM the King's keynote speech: "In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Most Merciful "Praise be to Allah, and peace be upon His Messenger, Prophet Muhammad, and his family and companions. "Dear brothers and sisters, distinguished members of the National Assembly "Peace and God's Mercy and blessings be upon you, "With Allah Almighty's blessings, we open with you today the second session of the Fourth Legislative Term of the National Council. We appreciate and express pride in the good efforts and endeavours of the Legislative Branch which assumes its responsibilities and constitutional duties so ably, and is keen on performing its monitoring and legislative roles out of its genuine commitment to serving the nation and the citizens, promoting the concepts of democracy which emanate from our culture and deep-rooted national values, spearheaded by our glorious National Action Charter. "Distinguished audience, "The region is going through rapidly-unfolding political developments and extraordinary economic conditions, which required us to issue directives to merge some ministries and government departments to support the general state budget and address the economic situation in the country to ease the financial burden borne by the state, without reducing or affecting the services delivered by the government to the citizens who are always the focus of our interest and the real asset of the nation. Despite all circumstances, our joint national action and development programmes will grow and continue, God Willing, in all sectors that serve the nation and the citizens, particularly the projects of infrastructure, education, health, housing and all other vital services. "On this occasion, we are pleased to extend our thanks and appreciation to His Royal Highness, our dear uncle, the Honorable Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, who has made numerous national and international achievements and gains which are a source of pride for the country and the people, and to our Crown Prince, His Royal Highness, our loyal son, Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the First Deputy Prime Minister, for their constant follow-up keenness to develop government work and implement its programmes, through their interaction with all social components to directly learn about the opinions of the honorable citizens about the public services offered by the state to fulfill their needs and expectations. "Today we all look forward the future that we aspire for and deserve, the future that we want for ourselves and for the next generations out of what we choose for ourselves and not out of what others want for us or maybe seek to impose on us through terrorism and criminality. We have had enough experiences and challenges over the past years from which we have learnt how to deal soundly with conspiracies orchestrated against all of us, we were, with Allah's help, able to expose and foil them by open national minds, vigilant social awareness that rejects all acts of destruction, vandalism, narrow-mindedness and fanaticism. "The Kingdom of Bahrain, which has been affected by such interference, is aware of its danger on its security and stability and its impact on the countries of the region. The events in the brotherly Yemen, amid the coup against legitimacy and foreign interference, have proven soundness of the decision of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and its wise leadership to intervene alongside other Arab brotherly countries through the Operation Decisive Storm and Operation Restoring Hope to confirm the legitimacy and stop foreign interference and ambitions. "The Kingdom of Bahrain had a firm stance in this regard. It engaged brave servicemen of Bahrain Defence Force in military operation of the campaign in line with its commitment to assuming the duty and honour of defending the region, restoring the legitimacy of Yemen, as well as protecting its people and restoring its security. Such contribution by the kingdom was coupled with its commitment to the extensive and ongoing humanitarian relief operations to ease the suffering of the Yemeni people and ensure the speedy restoration of the country's security, stability and prosperity in line with the charters and conventions, and within the framework of the joint GCC action, and most importantly the Arab unity, brotherhood, identity and destiny. "Today, amid the size of sacrifices made our brave heroes who are performing their national and humanitarian duties to the fullest, we should extend our thanks and appreciation to all the Bahraini families of these officers, with whom we share the national responsibility in letting our sons join theirs as fighters in the front-line and we were keen to keep them at the forefront of fighters following in the steps of our fathers and forefathers in such key fateful historical staged carved with golden letters in our honourable military history. We also share with our families the feeling of suffering, separation and hope for our sons to return home, safe and victorious. "It is a source of pride and duty to recall our honourable martyrs whose names and sacrifices will remain milestones in the history of Bahrain and in memory of them we have decided to set the 17th of December of each year, which coincides with our Accession Day, to be the Martyrs Day to commemorate and honour our martyrs in recognition of their sacrifices and redemption for the sake of their country and Nation. "Out of our appreciation and gratitude to the Bahrain Defence Force and the National Guard for their military duties with brotherly and friendly countries abroad since their establishment and for the humanitarian campaigns of the Interior Ministry, we have directed to document those tasks and participation to be taught to our sons and next generations within the curricula of the Education Ministry. "We have also directed the Ministry to intensify its educational efforts to develop and follow up on the content of the academic curricula that reinforce national loyalty and belonging, consolidate the values of tolerance and moderation, ensure their good application and the need to take the necessary measures to remove all obstacles facing that. We appreciate the Minister of Education and all the affiliates of the Ministry and its education and administrative entities for their efforts in serving learning and spreading knowledge in the country. "Brothers and Sisters, "The dangerous events that are taking place in our Arab surrounding that pose a threat to the security, safety and unity of Arab countries have forced their citizens to migrate and be displaced massively, which resulted in claiming the lives of many of them, requires collective Arab action within the Arab League, the House of all Arabs, to preserve the Arab entity and its joint security and to defend its just causes, particularly the Palestinian cause to reach a comprehensive viable solution to ensure the legitimate rights of the brotherly Palestinian people to establish an independent Palestinian State with Al Quds as its capital. "Finally, dear audience, despite all challenges we are determined to make more reforms for our country and develop our society. We will carry on deepening the bases of of citizenship based on justice, equality and equal opportunities. "These are the principles on which the reform and national modernisation project is based. This is a joint responsibility to continue the hard work within the framework of fruitful cooperation among branches through the use of all available constitutional tools to achieve the maximum level of stability and prosperity for the homeland and its people, men and women. "We pray to Allah Almighty to protect Bahrain and to grant it lasting blessings and grace. May Peace, Mercy and Blessings of Allah be upon you."