Manama: His Majesty King Hamad yesterday highlighted solid relations binding Bahrain and Morocco as he welcomed King Mohammed VI who is on an official visit to the kingdom.
The two leaders at Sakhir Palace hailed the positive results of the GCC-Moroccan Summit, held in Riyadh last week and underlined strong ties between the Gulf and Morocco.
They reviewed historical links binding the two countries and explored ways to expand co-operation.
His Majesty reiterated Bahrain’s support to Morocco’s territorial integrity and rejected encroachment on any of its territories, backing efforts to settle a dispute over Western Sahara.
The talks were held 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, Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Premier.
The leaders discussed developments in Palestine, Syria, Iraq, Yemen and Libya and stressed the need to muster all efforts to combat terrorism.
His Majesty also commended the efforts of King Mohammed as the Organisation of Islamic Co-operation Al Quds Committee chairman, in support of the rights of Palestinians.
They condemned Iran which subverts the security and stability of Bahrain, the GCC and Arab countries, by meddling in their internal affairs and supporting terrorism.
Moreover, the two leaders pledged to develop co-operation in the field of Islamic endowments, religious institutes, the judiciary, education and academic programmes.
They attended the signing of two protocols and an executive co-operation programme.
Finance Minister Shaikh Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Khalifa and Moroccan Minister of Economy and Finance Mohammed Bousaid signed a protocol amending an agreement signed in April 2000 on the avoidance of double taxation and fiscal evasion.
Justice, Islamic Affairs and Endowments Minister Shaikh Khalid bin Ali Al Khalifa and Moroccan Minister of Endowments and Islamic Affairs Ahmed Al Tawfiq signed an executive co-operation programme for the years 2016, 2017 and 2018.
Shaikh Khalid also signed with Moroccan Minister of Justice and Liberties Mustafa Ramid a co-operation protocol between Bahrain’s Judicial and Legal Studies Institute and Moroccan Institut Superieure de La Magistrature. His Majesty then hosted a dinner banquet in honour of King Mohammed and his delegation.
Earlier, the Moroccan monarch, accompanied by Prince Moulay Rachid, was welcomed on arrival at the airport by His Majesty and the Crown Prince.
The two leaders headed to Sakhir Palace as students, citizens and folk bands rallied to salute the visiting monarch while the motorcade passed through avenues adorned by the flags of the two nations.
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