HRH the Crown Prince and Prime Minister and HRH the Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia co-chair the fourth meeting of the Bahraini-Saudi Coordination Council
Manama, Dec. 3 (BNA): His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Bahrain, and His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, today co-chaired the fourth meeting of the Bahraini-Saudi Coordination Council, held in the Kingdom of Bahrain.
The meeting was convened pursuant to the directives of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, and His Majesty King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, in affirmation of the deep-rooted historical ties and shared aspirations that unite the Kingdom of Bahrain and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
HRH Prince Salman bin Hamad commenced the meeting by extending a warm welcome to HRH the Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia.
HRH Prince Salman bin Hamad highlighted the depth of the longstanding Bahrain-Saudi relationship, which continues to strengthen under the unwavering support of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, and King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques.
HRH Prince Salman bin Hamad noted that the strong ties between the two Kingdoms have fostered partnerships that continue to drive growth and deliver benefits to both nations and their peoples.
HRH the Crown Prince and Prime Minister commended the pivotal role played by HRH Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud in supporting joint initiatives and projects endorsed by the Council that meet the far-reaching aspirations of both countries.
For his part, His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud expressed his pleasure at visiting the Kingdom of Bahrain and meeting with His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa, and His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister. His Royal Highness underscored the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques’ commitment to strengthening and expanding cooperation between the two countries, and to advancing bilateral relations across all fields.
His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman also conveyed his gratitude and appreciation to His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad, for the warm welcome and the excellent organisation of the Council meeting.
In the presence of HRH the Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Bahrain and HRH the Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia, the following was announced:
* Phased implementation of the electronic integration system linking the Bahraini and Saudi sides of the King Fahd Causeway.
* Activating the electronic gates for e-passport holders at airports in both countries.
* Facilitating proof of origin procedures for Bahraini industrial exports to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (Integration).
* Providing scholarships for Bahraini students in Saudi Arabia.
* Approving intellectual property registration between the two countries.
* Bahrain accession to the Middle East and North Africa Regional Safety Oversight Organisation (MENA RSOO).
* Establishing an integrated data centre in the Kingdom of Bahrain for the Saudi Telecom Company (STC).
* Laying a submarine fibre optic cable linking the Kingdom of Bahrain and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia with global networks (STC).
* ACWA Power’s investment in the Al Ezzel, Al-Dur, and Al Hidd power generation and desalination plants in the Kingdom of Bahrain.
* Establishing a solar power plant in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia and connecting it to Bahrain (BAPCO Energies & ACWA Power).
Several agreements and memoranda of understanding were also announced, as follows:
* Avoiding double taxation.
* Encouraging direct investment.
* Promoting and protecting competition.
* Cooperation in diplomatic studies.
* Nuclear safety and radiation protection.
* Training and qualification in the field of railways.
* Cooperation between the University of Bahrain and King Saud University.
* Areas of sustainable development.
* Procedures, mechanisms, and strategies related to the non-profit sector.
Moreover, HRH Prince Salman bin Hamad and HRH Prince Mohammed bin Salman agreed to hold the fifth Saudi-Bahraini Coordination Council meeting in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia at a date to be determined by the Council’s General Secretariat.
Several senior officials, along with the heads of the Council’s subcommittees, were also present.
