Cabinet praises strong ties with Saudi Arabia, Egypt

Manama, Nov. 2 (BNA): The cabinet has welcomed the fruitful results of the visit of the Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisis to the kingdom as well as his talks with His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, lauding the solid long-standing Bahraini-Egyptian relations. The cabinet stressed the importance of President Al-Sisi's visit in bolstering them, and praised brotherly Egypt's honourable stances in support of the Kingdom of Bahrain, affirming that Egypt represents an influential strategic depth for the Arab and Islamic nations. Chairing at the Gudaibiya Palace today the cabinet's regular weekly session, attended by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Prime Minister, HRH Premier informed the ministers about the results of his recent brotherly visit to Saudi Arabia and his talks with the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. Talks focused on the outstanding strong deep-rooted Bahraini-Saudi relations, and on the latest regional and global developments, the Prime Minister said. The cabinet welcomed HRH Premier's visit, given its importance in bolstering the unique Bahraini-Saudi ties, and lauded the stances of Saudi Arabia, under the leadership of King Salman, in support of the Kingdom of Bahrain in various fields, Secretary-General of the Cabinet Dr. Yaser bin Essa Al-Nasser said in a statement following the session. HRH the Prime Minister expressed sincere appreciation to Saudi Arabia for the gracious welcome accorded to him and his accompanying delegation during the visit, which, he said reflected the bright image and the specificity of the relations between the two brotherly countries. HRH Premier lauded the leading role of Saudi Arabia, under the leadership of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, the Crown Prince, Deputy Premier and Interior Minister HRH Prince Mohammed bin Nayef bin Abdulaziz Al Saudi, and Deputy Crown Prince, Second Deputy Premier and Defence Minister HRH Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and its stances in support of the Arab Nation, represented in its leadership of the Arab Coalition against all attempts to undermine Arab security, stability and legitimacy. The cabinet then underscored the importance of concerted efforts to strengthen the pillars of regional security in widening development horizons, praising the 11th IISS Manama Dialogue as an international event that helps reach common grounds, joint formulas and clear visions on regional security issues. In this regard, HRH the Prime Minister lauded the role of HRH the Crown Prince in ensuring the success of such a crucial international gathering reflecting the kingdom's support for all efforts aiming to serve security in the region and the world. He also praised the effective international participation in the Manama Dialogue, lauding, in this context, the participation of the Egyptian President in the regional security summit through the keynote speech he delivered during the opening session. In another context, HRH the Prime Minister issued directives to speed up the implementation of the approved projects without delay, and tasked the Ministerial Committee for Urbanisation and Infrastructure to follow up on the eight development projects he had ordered during his recent visit to Muharraq and his meeting with its Municipal Council. HRH Premier also issued instructions to put forward and regulate the bonuses granted to the heads and members of government department, bodies and institutions, as well as those of companies in which the state owns a share exceeding 50%, and requested the Ministerial Committee for Fiancial Affairs and Rationalising Spending to submit its visions and proposals in this regard. The move is part of the government's keenness on rationalising spending. On health, HRH Premier directed the Health Ministry to follow up closely on the level of heath and therapeutic services provided for the sickle-cell patients, especially when they need emergency medical treatment. HRH the Prime Minister also issued directives to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to intensify meetings with the European Union countries in order to facilitate movement between them and the kingdom through ensuring easy Schengen visas procedures for Bahraini citizens. The session also discussed amending some provisions of the regulatory requirements for reconstruction works in old residential neighbourhoods in order to regulate the building of flats and villas in a way that prevents pressure on the flow of traffic and infrastructure facilities, and paves the way for expanding the streets in those neighbourhoods. The session discussed changing the classification of those old neighbourhoods from the current "B" to "C", and referred the recommendations of the Ministerial Committee for Urbanisation and Infrastructure, chaired by Deputy Premier HH Shaikh Khalid bin Abdulla Al Khalifa, to the Ministerial Committee for Legal Affairs, as proposed by the Ministry of Works, Municipalities Affairs and Urban Planning. The session also discussed a draft decree on determining the minister in charge of implementing Decree-Law 25/2015 on collecting the expenses of the construction and development of infrastructure in areas under construction. It also discussed a draft edict on forming a committee to estimate the cost of the infrastructure stipulated in the aforementioned decree-law. The two issues, included in the memorandum presented by the Deputy Premier and Chairman of the Ministerial Committee for Urbanisation and Infrastructure, were referred to the Ministerial Committee for Legal Affairs. The session approved a draft resolution on determining the fees levied on services provided in accordance with the provisions of Article 20 of the Real Estate Development Law, as outlined in the memorandum presented by the Deputy Premier and Chairman of the Ministerial Committee for Urbanisation and Infrastructure. The Ministerial Committee for Financial Affairs and Rationalising Spending was requested to study the memorandum submitted by the Minister of Foreign Affairs on the financial obligations of the kingdom regarding its membership in some international organisations and agencies. On transportation, the cabinet discussed a draft resolution on the issuance of licenses of public transport activities for companies and individuals and the fees to be levied on them. The issue, included in the memorandum presented by the Transportation and Telecommunications Minister, was referred to the Ministerial Committee for Legal Affairs. The session discussed four proposals submitted by the Council of Representatives, and reviewed the recommendations of the Ministerial Committee for Legal Affairs through the memoranda presented by the Deputy Premier and Deputy Chairman of the panel on them. The proposals include the bonuses granted to the heads and members of government department, bodies and institutions, as well as those of companies in which the state owns a share exceeding 50%, exemption from the Schengen visa, the teaching of courses about family relations to secondary school and university students and the social assistance to the persons entitled to social insurance. The cabinet took the necessary decisions regarding those proposals.