HM the King, Tunisian president hold talks

Manama, Jan. 27 (BNA): His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa received at the Gudaibiya Palace today the Tunisian President Beji Caid Essebsi, in the presence of His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa. Upon arrival at the Gudaibiya Palace, an official reception ceremony was held in honour of the Tunisian President. Then, HM King Hamad and the Kingdom’s guest headed to the podium of honour, and the Tunisian and Bahrain national anthems were played. Then, HM the King and President Essebsi inspected the guard of honour, whose members lined up to salute them. After that, the Tunisian President shook hands with ministers, and HM King Hamad shook hands with the members of the official delegation accompanying President Essebsi. HM King Hamad delivered a keynote speech in which he welcomed the Tunisian President’s official visit to the kingdom, noting that the visit embodies the solid long-standing bilateral relations, and the two countries’ strong keenness on strengthening their brotherly ties, and enhancing cooperation, rapprochement and complementarity among Arab countries. HM the King highlighted the great importance of the Tunisian President’s visit amid the serious challenges Arab Nation is currently facing, which, he said, require intensifying joint consultation and maximum levels of coordination and constant cooperation to address the threats to the region’s stability. The threats and challenges also require sound and prompt dealing with the global developments to contain their repercussions and put forward the suitable solutions in order to maintain Arab countries’ security and sovereignty, preserve national achievements and meet the Arab peoples’ aspirations. HM King Hamad said that the new agreements to be signed on the sidelines of the Tunisian President’s visit would open up new horizons of bilateral cooperation, stressing keenness to activate the results of the joint agreements for the best interests of the two brotherly countries through the Joint Bahraini-Tunisian Committee, the oldest of its kind to be set up between the kingdom and brotherly countries. "As an expression of the feelings of pride, respect and gratitude of Bahrain and its people towards Tunisia and its brotherly people, we are pleased to bestow upon Your Excellency the ‘Shaikh Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa Medal of the Excellent Class in appreciation of your efforts and endeavours to upgrade our fraternal relations to new and advanced levels of cooperation and rapprochement," HM the King said while addressing the Tunisian President. Then, the Tunisian President Beji Caid Essebsi delivered a speech in which he expressed sincere thanks and appreciation to His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa for inviting him to visit Bahrain. "I responded quickly to the invitation for my love and appreciation to HM King Hamad and the people of Bahrain," he said, citing the honourable stances of the late HH Shaikh Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa, may Allah Almighty rest his soul in eternal peace. Tunisia and Bahrain have always been together and even have adjacent seats in the Arab League summits, which, he said, reflects the deep convergence of the two countries’ stances towards many issues, he said. President Essebsi expressed his country’s admiration for Bahrain’s moderation and openness, noting Tunisian is trying to be a moderate country, quoting the Holy Quran as saying "And thus we have made you a just community that you will be witnesses over the people and the Messenger will be a witness over you." He asserted that his visit was within the framework of the good relations binding the two brotherly countries. The Tunisian President extended an invitation to HM King Hamad to visit Tunisia, and thanked him for conferring on him the Shaikh Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa’s Medal. "I am pleased to bestow upon Your Majesty the Order of Independence of the First Class, which the oldest medal in Tunisia and was established by the late President Habib Bourguiba who was an admirer of Bahrain," President Essebsi said. "Bahrain is strong with its rich heritage, King and people," he said, calling for the need to take regional and global developments and adopt realistic policies in order to maintain countries’ security and stability. "Personally, I am confident that with its King and people, Bahrain is on the right path of progress and development," he said, adding that his country is going through many challenges and it is trying to overcome them. Then, HM King Hamad bestowed on the Tunisian President the Shaikh Isa bin Salman Medal of the Excellent Class in appreciation of his support to efforts to bolster bilateral cooperation. President Essebsi also conferred on HM the King the Order of the Republic of the First Class in appreciation of His Majesty’s efforts to enhance bilateral relations in various fields. After that, HM King Hamad and President Essebsi attended the signing of the following cooperation agreements and memoranda of understanding (MoU): 1- An MoU on environment protection and sustainable development, signed by HM the King’s Personal Representative and President of the Supreme Council for Environment Shaikh Abdulla bin Hamad Al Khalifa and the Tunisian Foreign Minister Khmais Al-Jahinawi. 2- An agreement on security cooperation, signed by the Interior Minister Lieutenant-General Shaikh Rashid bin Abdulla Al Khalifa and the Tunisian Foreign Minister. 3- An Agreement on defence cooperation, signed by the Defence Affairs Minister Lieutenant-General Youssef bin Ahmed Al Jalahma and the Tunisian Foreign Minister. 4- An agreement on air transportation, signed by the Transportation and Telecommunications Minister Kamal bin Ahmed Mohammed and the Tunisian Foreign Affairs Minister. 5- An executive programme for a cooperation agreement in the health field, signed by the Minister of Health Faeqa bint Said Al Saleh and the Tunisian Foreign Minister. Then, HM King Hamad and President Beji Caid Essebsi held a meeting, in the presence of HRH Prime Minister Prince Khalifa. They reviewed the strong bilateral relations and ways to bolster them in all fields. HM the King stressed that both Bahrain and Tunisia boasted a long history and civilization, noting that Tunisia has been the land of tolerance and peaceful co-existence among various religions for ages. It is the land of civilizations and religions in the region, and its people is educated and welcomes all religions, HM the King said, adding that Bahrain has focused its efforts on development in the fields of education and health since ancient times. The Tunisian President expressed delight at visiting Bahrain, highlighting his country’s constant keenness on developing education and combating illiteracy through various plans and programmes. HM King Hamad and President Essebsi discussed the latest regional and Arab issues of common interest. HM the King hosted a luncheon in honour of the Tunisian President and his accompanying delegation. Earlier today, the Tunisian President Beji Caid Essebsi arrived here on an official visit to Bahrain, and was welcomed by Deputy Premier HH Shaikh Mohammed bin Mubarak Al Khalifa. A convoy of honour, led by the Foreign Affairs Minister Shaikh Khalid bin Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Khalifa, was formed to accompany the Tunisian President during his stay in the kingdom.