MANAMA: Bahrain and Egypt yesterday signed a number of agreements to strengthen co-operation.
Foreign Minister Shaikh Khalid bin Ahmed Al Khalifa and his Egyptian counterpart Sameh Shoukry signed the agreements at the 10th session of the Joint Committee for Co-operation between Bahrain and Egypt.
Shaikh Khalid said Bahrain and Egypt will continue to serve as a model for relations and co-operation, pointing out that these relations are reflected in the meetings between His Majesty King Hamad and President Abdel Fattah Al Sisi.
He praised Egypt’s pivotal role in resolving Arab issues, noting in particular its steadfast stances supporting Bahrain’s security, stability and prosperity as well as its efforts to combat violence, extremism and terrorism.
The minister also reiterated Bahrain’s firm stance in solidarity with Egypt in combating terrorism, drying up its sources of funding and seeking to establish security and peace in the region.
Mr Shoukry stressed the depth of relations between the two countries, pointing out that co-operation is solid and timely when it comes to facing challenges, such as regional interventions.
He also affirmed that the Arab Gulf is an integral part of the security of Egypt, and it will never accept undermining Bahrain’s security and stability.
The two countries signed following agreements:
- An agreement on co-operation in Customs
- A visa exemption agreement for diplomatic, special and service passport holders
- MoU on the establishment of a joint committee for consular affairs
- MoU in electricity, water and renewable energy.
- MoU in cultural co-operation.
- An executive programme in specifications and standards.
- An executive programme for 2019-2020 for exchange of experiences between Bahrain’s Works, Municipalities Affairs and Urban Planning Ministry and Egypt’s Agriculture and Land Reclamation Ministry.
The two sides stressed the importance of supporting the Palestinian cause and following up on its political developments, and affirmed that a just and comprehensive solution can only be achieved by safeguarding the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people and establishing its independent and sovereign state with East Jerusalem as its capital. “This initiative is the best solution to end the Arab-Israeli conflict,” they added.
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