Bahrain has stressed the need to end wars and resolve conflicts through dialogue and international partnerships.
Foreign Minister Dr Abdullatif Al Zayani reiterated the country’s commitment to peace and tolerance, and its firm rejection of terrorism and hatred, while delivering a speech at the 77th session of the United Nations General Assembly yesterday.
“The general debate of the current session is taking place amidst armed conflicts in most parts of the world and shared economic challenges of great importance and danger,” he said.
“If left unresolved, these – along with the increased threat of terrorist organisations in various parts of the world that have not been comprehensively addressed – would lead to greater destruction and displacement of innocents, whilst threatening the lives of those living in peace, especially women and children, and preventing individuals and societies from realising their most basic rights to a dignified and stable life.
“My country believes that the only way to resolve the existing regional and international crises is through adherence to the principles of the United Nations. These include respect for sovereignty and international law, non-interference in the internal affairs of countries, and resolving disputes before they break out, ending the heavy loss of lives and properties. We should channel financial resources to lift millions of people out of hunger, poverty and illness, instead of wasting wealth on igniting hostility and hatred.”
The minister urged all countries to ‘give priority to dialogue and diplomatic solutions in settling regional and international conflicts and tensions’.
“Bahrain, under the leadership of His Majesty King Hamad, and the support of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, is continuing its reform and diplomatic approach that supports international partnership in consolidating the values of peace, tolerance and coexistence, rejecting extremism, hatred and terrorism,” he said.
Mr Al Zayani asserted Bahrain’s keenness to preserve the security, stability, unity and territorial integrity of Arab countries, ‘which is an integral part of our national security’.
“We have confidence in the ability of brotherly countries to resolve their crises and overcome any differences through political dialogue,” he added.
He said the kingdom believes that achieving a just and comprehensive peace in the Middle East region depends primarily on settling the Palestinian-Israeli conflict in accordance with the two-state solution, resolutions of international legitimacy, and the Arab Peace Initiative.
Bahrain has taken serious initiatives by hosting the Peace to Prosperity workshop, signing the Abraham Accords and the Declaration Supporting Peace, which has entered its third year, embodying the importance of co-operation instead of confrontation and working to build trust and partnerships, he said.
Mr Al Zayani highlighted Bahrain’s interest in establishing friendly and balanced relations with all countries in the Middle East, including Iran, in compliance with the UN Charter and international law. The minister also called upon Iran to co-operate with the International Atomic Energy Agency, and to work to make the Middle East, including the Arabian Gulf, a zone free of weapons of mass destruction.
He affirmed support for the legitimate historical rights of Egypt and Sudan to the waters of the Nile river, and for the protection of their water security, whilst supporting their endeavours to reach a binding legal agreement on filling and operating the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam in a way that benefits all parties, in accordance with the rules of international law.
&uuid=(email))